Consider the following statements regarding agricultural practices in the Early Vedic period:

1.The Rigveda contains only limited references to agriculture, with barley ('Yava') being the most frequently mentioned crop.

2.During the Early Vedic period, agricultural activities were heavily reliant on the widespread use of fire and copper tools for large-scale cultivation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only

(b)2 only

(c)Both 1 and 2

(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Question

Consider the following statements regarding agricultural practices in the Early Vedic period:

1.The Rigveda contains only limited references to agriculture, with barley ('Yava') being the most frequently mentioned crop.

2.During the Early Vedic period, agricultural activities were heavily reliant on the widespread use of fire and copper tools for large-scale cultivation.
 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a)1 only

(b)2 only 

(c)Both 1 and 2 

(d)Neither 1 nor 2

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is correct: The Rigveda contain limited references to agriculture. The focus in the Rigveda is largely on pastoralism (cattle herding) rather than farming. Barley (referred to as 'Yava') is the most frequently mentioned crop in these texts, and it was considered an important crop in the early Vedic period.
Statement 2 is not correct: In the Early Vedic period, copper tools were in use, but they were not widespread or advanced enough for large-scale cultivation. The use of fire for clearing land (a practice in shifting cultivation) was common, but the use of advanced agricultural tools, such as iron plows, had not yet developed. Large-scale cultivation was more limited during this period.

Ancient Indian History

Agricultural Practices in Early Vedic Period

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