Correct Option
The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
[as per provisional answerkey]Explanation
The Rigvedic economy was primarily pastoral, but agriculture played a significant role. The expansion of cultivation into the semi-arid regions of Punjab and Haryana necessitated the development of artificial irrigation systems beyond seasonal flooding.
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Rigveda contains specific terminology related to well-irrigation. The ashma-chakra refers to a stone pulley wheel, and ahava refers to a trough or strapped wooden pails used for lifting water. These technological references confirm that the Rigvedic people possessed the means to access groundwater.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: While the Rigveda mentions tools like the parashu (axe) for clearing forests and datra (sickle) for harvesting, these implements relate to land preparation and reaping. They do not provide direct evidence or support for the specific mechanism of drawing water from wells or the use of draught animals for irrigation as described in the premise.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The use of draught animals, specifically oxen (bullocks), for traction is well-documented in the Vedic and even pre-Vedic (Harappan) contexts. The Rigveda mentions the use of oxen for pulling the langala (plough) and shakata (carts). This established use of animal power for heavy labor supports the inference that draught animals were employed to operate the water-lifting mechanisms from wells.
Key Takeaway
Rigvedic agriculture utilized well-irrigation supported by mechanical devices like stone pulleys (ashma-chakra) and the application of draught-animal power, which facilitated settlement in regions away from perennial river banks.