Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Advent of Aryans & Rig Vedic Period - UPSC MCQ

• The Rig Vedic society started to show social divisions towards its later period with the emergence of different varnas. Initially, it was relatively egalitarian but not entirely devoid of social hierarchy.
• 'Gavishthi' indeed refers to wars or conflicts primarily over cattle, which were considered valuable assets and symbols of wealth.
• The text mentions domestic slaves, indicating the presence of slavery. However, there is no direct reference to wage earners, suggesting a primarily pastoral and agrarian economy without a developed system of wage labor.

• The first statement is correct. The administrative system in Rig Vedic times was indeed highly centralized with a well-defined bureaucracy. This is evident from the references in the Rig Veda to officials such as purohita (priest), gramani (village headman), and grhapati (householder).
• The second statement is also correct. The concept of rajan (king) in the Rig Veda suggests that the position did become hereditary over time. Initially, the position of king was likely based on merit or achievement, but it eventually became a hereditary position.
• However, the third statement is incorrect. The Rig Veda does not provide much evidence of a developed system of regular trade and marketplaces. Trade during this time was more likely based on barter systems and local exchanges rather than formalized marketplaces.

• Indra is correctly identified as the Breaker of Forts, a warrior god associated with storms and warfare.
• Agni is the fire god, not the rain god, making the second pair incorrect. He acts as the mediator between gods and humans.
• Varuna is indeed considered the upholder of the natural order, overseeing moral and societal laws.

1. The Mitanni inscriptions contain references to the Aryans and are dated to the 14th century B.C.

   • This statement is correct. The Mitanni inscriptions, found in the Near East, do reference Indo-Aryan deities and are dated to around the 14th century B.C. These inscriptions are significant as they show the presence of Indo-Aryan elements outside of the Indian subcontinent during that period.

2. The Aryan social structure was based on kinship and clan affiliation, with the family being the basic unit.

   • This statement is correct. Aryan society was organized around kinship and clans, and the family indeed served as the basic social unit. This structure is well-documented in various texts, including the Vedas.

3. The Rig Veda does not mention any female deities or contributors.

   • This statement is incorrect. The Rig Veda does mention several female deities, such as Usha (the dawn goddess), Saraswati (the river goddess), and others. Additionally, there are hymns attributed to female sages or seers, such as Ghosha and Lopamudra.

Therefore, only two out of the three statements are correct.

The correct answer is:

1. Only two

Statement-I correctly identifies Indra as the primary divinity in the Rig Veda, known as Purandara or the breaker of forts. Statement-II correctly states that Indra is considered the rain god responsible for causing rainfall. The relationship between Indra being a warlord and a rain god is well-established in Vedic literature, where he is celebrated for bringing rain and leading Aryan soldiers to victory against demons.

- Statement-I: Incorrect. Early Aryans were primarily pastoralists who relied on cattle herding rather than agriculture. Agriculture was not their main livelihood during the early Vedic period.
-Statement-II: Correct. The Rig Veda does mention ploughshares, indicating some engagement with agriculture. 

Thus, D is correct: Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

• Statement-I is correct as the purohita played a crucial administrative and religious role in Rig Vedic society, acting as a chief priest and advisor to the king (rajan).
• Statement-II is incorrect because there is little evidence of a detailed system of tax collection in the Rig Vedic period. The economy was predominantly pastoral and agrarian, with wealth measured in cattle rather than monetary terms, and contributions to the chief or king were more likely voluntary or in the form of spoils from raids rather than systematic taxation.

• Saraswati is indeed referred to as Naditama, the best of rivers, indicating its significant religious and cultural importance.
• Sindhu is described as the river par excellence for the Aryans, highlighting its centrality in their lives and rituals.
• Kubha (modern Kabul River) is mentioned in the Rig Veda, making the third pair incorrectly matched because it indicates that it was indeed mentioned.

c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

Explanation:

• Statement-I: The Rig Veda mentions the terms Arya varna and Dasa varna. These terms primarily refer to the distinctions between the Aryas (the Vedic people) and the Dasas (a term used for rival tribes or groups, often enemies or subjugated people).

• Statement-II: The  early Vedic society wheas predominantly tribal and egalitarian, without rigid social stratification. The divisions into warriors, priests, and people were more fluid and did not constitute social inequalities in the strict sense. These stratifications became more pronounced in later Vedic society, leading to the varna system. Therefore, this statement is incorrect in the context of the early Vedic period described in the Rig Veda.

• The Rig Veda indeed refers to the river Saraswati as Naditama, highlighting its importance and sanctity among the rivers of that time.
• The term Arya is mentioned 36 times in the Rig Veda, primarily indicating a cultural rather than racial identity, underlined by common language and religious practices.
• The Avesta, the oldest text of the Zoroastrian religion, and the Rig Veda, share similarities in the names of deities and social classes, pointing towards a common Indo-Iranian heritage before the migration of these peoples.

• The horse is associated more with military campaigns and mobility rather than directly with agricultural development, making the first pair incorrect.
• The chariot was indeed critical for military success, offering strategic advantages in battles.
• References to the ploughshare, while indicative of agricultural activity, are not necessarily from the earliest parts of the Rig Veda, but its presence suggests some level of agricultural knowledge.

• The significance of the horse to the Aryans is well documented, facilitating their military campaigns and expansions due to its speed and utility in chariot warfare.
• The Rig Veda's composition began well before the Aryans had fully settled across the Indian subcontinent, reflecting a period of transition and interaction with indigenous cultures.
• The earliest Aryans were primarily pastoralists, with agriculture playing a secondary role in their economy. Over time, as they settled in the Indian subcontinent, agriculture gained prominence.

1. The Battle of Ten Kings was indeed fought on the river Parushni, which is identified with the river Ravi. This statement is correct.

2. The Bharatas were opposed by a host of ten chiefs, but five of these were Aryan tribes and the remaining five were non-Aryan . Therefore, this statement is incorrect because it suggests that all of them were non-Aryan tribes.

3. The Kurus did combine with the Panchalas and established their rule in the upper Gangetic basin during the later Vedic times. This statement is correct.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3.

Let's analyze both statements:

Statement-I:

"Agni, the fire god, played a significant role in the lives of primitive people."

• This statement is correct. In early Vedic religion and other ancient cultures, Agni, the fire god, was very important. Fire was essential for survival (cooking, warmth, protection), and it had a symbolic and religious significance.

Statement-II:

"Agni acted as an intermediary between the gods and the people in Vedic times."

• This statement is also correct. In Vedic times, Agni was considered the messenger of the gods. He played the role of an intermediary by carrying offerings from humans to the gods through fire in rituals (Yajnas).

Conclusion:

• Both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I because Agni's role as an intermediary in religious practices contributed to his significant presence in the lives of people.

Thus, the correct answer is:

Option 2: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.

- Statement-I:
- The Rig Veda acknowledges women as hymn composers, known as "Rishikas" or "Brahmavadinis."
- Women held intellectual and spiritual roles, indicating their significant societal contributions.

- Statement-II:
- Idol worship was not common during the Rig Vedic period.
- Focus was on natural elements and abstract deities, not idols.

- Conclusion:
- Statement-I is correct; it reflects the societal status of women.
- Statement-II is incorrect; idol worship was not prevalent.
- Correct answer: C.

• Statement-I is correct as both the Rig Veda and the Avesta contain linguistic and mythological parallels, including similar names for gods and social structures.
• Statement-II correctly explains Statement-I by highlighting the shared Indo-Iranian heritage of the peoples who composed these texts, reflecting a common cultural and linguistic background before their dispersion into different regions.

1. Gana - Military unit: Correct. The term Gana referred to a military unit or group.

2. Grama - Village head: Incorrect. Grama referred to a smaller tribal unit, not specifically the village head.

3. Vidatha - Tribal assembly: Correct. Vidatha was a tribal assembly with multiple roles including religious and military functions.

4. Vashishta - Important functionary in Rig Vedic times: Correct. Vashishta was an important sage and functionary during the Rig Vedic period.

1. Sabha - Tribal assembly: Correct. The Sabha was one of the important tribal assemblies in the Rig Vedic period.

2. Bali - Voluntary offerings to the chiefs: Correct. Bali were voluntary offerings made by the people to their chiefs.

3. Senani - Scribe or record keeper: Incorrect. The Senani was the military commander, not a scribe.

4. Vishwamitra - Composer of the Gayatri mantra: Correct. Vishwamitra is credited with composing the Gayatri mantra.

The correct answer is:  Only three pairs

1. 'Gavishthi' in the Rig Veda indeed refers to the search for cows, which reflects the pastoral nature of the Rig Vedic Aryans. This statement is correct.

2. The Rig Vedic people did have knowledge of metalworking, as indicated by the term 'ayas' used for copper or bronze. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

3. The word 'Samudra' in the Rig Veda mainly denotes a collection of water rather than the sea, indicating familiarity with land routes. This statement is correct.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3.

• Rajan refers to the tribal chief or king, not a priest, making the first pair incorrect.
• Gavishthi correctly means war for cows, indicating conflicts over resources such as cattle.
• Purohita refers to the chief priest or the king's spiritual advisor, not a military officer, making the third pair incorrect.