Vedic Period
Q1. (A) Choose the correct alternative and write the complete sentences.
(1) The importance of agriculture is clearly emphasised in the ____ mandala of the Rigveda.
(a) 4th (b) 10th (c) 8th (d) 6th
Answer: (b) 10th
(2) A potter is mentioned as an artisan in the for the first time.
(a) Rigveda (b) Yajurveda
(c) Samaveda (d) Atharvveda
Answer: (b) Yajurveda
(3) The god who protected the animals was known as .
(a) Indra (b) Pushan
(c) Ashwin (d) Varun
Answer: (b) Pushan
(B) Find the incorrect pair from set B and write the correct ones.
| Set ‘A’ | Set ‘B’ |
| (1) Nishka | Gold ornament |
| (2) Barley | Main crop of the Vedic people |
| (3) Krishtya | The apparatus of drawing water from the well |
| (4) Navya | river transport |
Answer: Krishtya – Tribal settlements or ploughing people
(C) Write the names.
(1) A branch of linguistics – Philology
(2) A battle fought among the ten tribal chiefs – Dashradnya Yuddha
(3) Cultivable land prepared by ploughing – Urvara
Q.2 Complete the concept map given below.
Answer:
- Tribes: Puru, Anu, Yadu, Druhyu, Turvash (mentioned as Rigvedic tribes in the Saptasindhu region).
- Dashradnya Yuddha: A battle fought among ten tribal chiefs.
- Means of Livelihood: Agriculture (ploughing, barley cultivation, irrigation with stone wheel and jars), animal husbandry (cattle, buffaloes, horses), artisanal activities (carpentry by Rathakara and Takshan, weaving by Vayya, metalwork by Karmar).
- Deities: Indra (Lord of Urvara), Ashwins (gods of agriculture), Pushan (protector of animals), Varuna (lord of water routes).
Q.3 Choose the correct reason and complet the sentence.
Panis were looked upon as enemies by the Vedic people because –
(a) they belonged to a different tribe.
(b) their language was impure
(c) Panis used to steal the cattle of the Vedic people
(d) Panis did not obey the orders of the Vedic people.
Answer: (c) Panis used to steal the cattle of the Vedic people.
Q.4 State your opinion.
(1) There is a debate about the original home of the Aryans.
Answer: The debate about the original home of the Aryans persists due to inconclusive evidence regarding their origins. While some scholars suggest they migrated to India from regions like Central Asia or the Arctic (as proposed by Lokmanya Tilak), others argue they were indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, possibly linked to the Harappan civilization. The lack of definitive archaeological or literary evidence, coupled with the undeciphered Harappan script, keeps this question open, highlighting the complexity of tracing ancient migrations.
(2) The Rigvedic people subsisted on agriculture.
Answer: I agree that the Rigvedic people primarily subsisted on agriculture, as evidenced by the Rigveda’s emphasis on farming practices, such as ploughing (termed “Krish”), the cultivation of barley, and the use of irrigation systems like the stone wheel for drawing well water. References to deities like Ashwins and Indra as protectors of agriculture further underscore its significance. Alongside agriculture, animal husbandry and artisanal activities like carpentry and weaving also supported their economy, but agriculture was central to their livelihood.
Q.5 Explain the following concepts.
(1) Origin of Aryan people
Answer: The origin of the Aryan people remains a subject of scholarly debate. The term “Aryan” is associated with the Vedic people who composed the Rigveda around 1500 B.C.E., though some, like Lokmanya Tilak, suggest an earlier date of 6000 B.C.E., placing their origins in the Arctic region based on astronomical references. Some theories propose that the Aryans migrated to India from Central Asia or other western regions, bringing knowledge of horses, chariots, and archery, while others argue they were indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, possibly connected to the Late Harappan culture. The geographical overlap of the Vedic Saptasindhu region with Harappan sites fuels speculation that the two cultures may be related, but the undeciphered Harappan script and lack of conclusive archaeological evidence leave the question unresolved.
(2) Indo-European family of languages
Answer: The Indo-European family of languages refers to a group of languages with a common linguistic ancestor, identified through shared vocabulary, grammar, and phonetic patterns. The concept emerged in the 16th century when European scholars, such as Filippo Sassetti, noted similarities between Sanskrit and Latin-Greek languages. This led to the development of philology, a discipline studying the etymological history of words. By the 18th century, academic discussions solidified the idea of a “Mother language” from which Indo-European languages, including Sanskrit, Latin, Greek, and others, evolved. The establishment of the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784 by Sir William Jones furthered research into Sanskrit texts, reinforcing the notion of a shared linguistic heritage across Europe and Indi
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