Vedic Period in General Studies : PYQs with Answers

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UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026Vedic Period

Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period:

I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface.
II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells.

Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?

There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle).
There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only

1, 2 and 3

1 and 3 only

3 only

View Answer

Correct Answer: B — 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

All three supporting points fit the expansion of agriculture in the Ganga plain. Evidence of pulley-and-pail style well-water lifting supports irrigation away from flood plains. Agricultural implements like axe and sickle are supporting agrarian expansion. Earlier ox-based draught power is supporting the claim that animals could draw water from wells.