Prelims 2017 · Ancient History · Question 77
With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them. 2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron. 3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer
1 only
1. Correct. Rigvedic texts mention armour/coat of mail (varman) and helmet/head protection used in warfare. Harappan sites have not yielded clear evidence of such body armour or helmets.
2. Incorrect. Harappans knew gold, silver and copper/bronze; they did not know iron. So the statement reverses the facts.
3. Incorrect. Rigvedic Aryans certainly domesticated the horse, but the claim that Indus people had no evidence at all of awareness of horse is too absolute; horse remains/terracotta figurines from some Harappan sites are debated but cannot support this statement as correct.
Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.