Selina Textbook Solutions: Early Vedic Civilization | History Class 9 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Early Vedic Civilization 
EXERCISES 
 
Question 1. 
Name any two early Aryan settlements. 
Answer: 
The early Aryans settled in the Sapta-Sindhu region which comprised the five rivers of 
Punjab namely—Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and the river Indus (Sindhuj 
and the river Sarasvati. 
Question 2. 
Name the first of the Vedas. Or Which is the oldest Vedic literature. 
Answer: 
The Rig Veda is the oldest Vedic literature. 
Question 3. 
What does the Rijj Veda contain ? 
Answer: 
It contains hymns in praise of different Gods and Goddesses like – Indra, varuna and 
Agni. 
Question 4. 
Mention any of the Vedic hymns that enables us reconstruct the Early Vedic Civilization. 
Answer: 
Agni. Agni was the personification of the ‘sacrificial fire.’ Sacrifices or yajnas occupied a 
prominent place in the early Vedic religion. Agni was thought of a messenger or a 
bearer of offerings (of milk, grain, ghee, etc.) from men to Gods. 
Question 5. 
How can you say that the Rig Vedic Age was the Non Iron using phase of Vedic history 
? 
Answer: 
The copper and the bronze were available in abundance, while the use of iron was not 
known to the Rig Vedic Age. 
Question 6. 
Name any two of the four Varnas. 
Answer: 
The Brahmins and the Kshtriyas. 
 
Page 2


Early Vedic Civilization 
EXERCISES 
 
Question 1. 
Name any two early Aryan settlements. 
Answer: 
The early Aryans settled in the Sapta-Sindhu region which comprised the five rivers of 
Punjab namely—Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and the river Indus (Sindhuj 
and the river Sarasvati. 
Question 2. 
Name the first of the Vedas. Or Which is the oldest Vedic literature. 
Answer: 
The Rig Veda is the oldest Vedic literature. 
Question 3. 
What does the Rijj Veda contain ? 
Answer: 
It contains hymns in praise of different Gods and Goddesses like – Indra, varuna and 
Agni. 
Question 4. 
Mention any of the Vedic hymns that enables us reconstruct the Early Vedic Civilization. 
Answer: 
Agni. Agni was the personification of the ‘sacrificial fire.’ Sacrifices or yajnas occupied a 
prominent place in the early Vedic religion. Agni was thought of a messenger or a 
bearer of offerings (of milk, grain, ghee, etc.) from men to Gods. 
Question 5. 
How can you say that the Rig Vedic Age was the Non Iron using phase of Vedic history 
? 
Answer: 
The copper and the bronze were available in abundance, while the use of iron was not 
known to the Rig Vedic Age. 
Question 6. 
Name any two of the four Varnas. 
Answer: 
The Brahmins and the Kshtriyas. 
 
Question 7. 
What w’as the position of women in the Rig Vedic age ? 
Answer: 
Women were treated as being equal with men. They took part in all religious rites. 
Women were given education. Girls had freedom in the choice of husbands. Monogamy 
any polygamy both were popular. Child-marriage the sati system and purdah did not 
exist among the Aryans. The women attended all the social functions and gatherings. 
People prayed for the birth of sons in particular, but there are no clues of prayers for the 
birth of a daughter. 
Question 8. 
What were the two main occupations of the Rig Vedic Aryans? 
Answer: 
Domestication of the animals and agriculture. 
Question 9. 
What form of worship did the Aryans follow during the early Vedic period? 
Answer: 
The early Vedic period comprised worshiping of  several gods. The Aryans used to 
worship Gods of the Sky or Heaven, Gods of the Atmosphere Gods of the Earth, 
Sacrifices or the Yajnas. 
Question 10. 
Name the two political institutions which exercised check on the powers of the King in 
the Rig Vedic period. 
Answer: 
The Samiti and the Sabha. 
Question 11. 
Mention the important features of the religion of the early Vedic period. 
Answer: 
The religion of the early Vedic period was very simple. The people worshiped various 
forces of nature as manifestations of the Supreme God. Thus, they worshiped a number 
of Nature Gods. The Aryans did not build any temples of worshiped idols. They used to 
chant hymns in the open air. Sacrifices or the Yajnas occupied a prominent place in the 
early Vedic period. 
Question 12. 
State the importance of Sacrifices in the early Vedic ritual. 
Answer: 
The Aryans propitiated their Gods by performing sacrifices. The common items of 
offerings for the sacrifice included ghee, milk, grain, flesh and soma juice. Every 
householder performed the sacrifice by kindling the sacred fire and reciting hymns. All 
the members of the family participated in these ceremonies. 
Page 3


Early Vedic Civilization 
EXERCISES 
 
Question 1. 
Name any two early Aryan settlements. 
Answer: 
The early Aryans settled in the Sapta-Sindhu region which comprised the five rivers of 
Punjab namely—Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and the river Indus (Sindhuj 
and the river Sarasvati. 
Question 2. 
Name the first of the Vedas. Or Which is the oldest Vedic literature. 
Answer: 
The Rig Veda is the oldest Vedic literature. 
Question 3. 
What does the Rijj Veda contain ? 
Answer: 
It contains hymns in praise of different Gods and Goddesses like – Indra, varuna and 
Agni. 
Question 4. 
Mention any of the Vedic hymns that enables us reconstruct the Early Vedic Civilization. 
Answer: 
Agni. Agni was the personification of the ‘sacrificial fire.’ Sacrifices or yajnas occupied a 
prominent place in the early Vedic religion. Agni was thought of a messenger or a 
bearer of offerings (of milk, grain, ghee, etc.) from men to Gods. 
Question 5. 
How can you say that the Rig Vedic Age was the Non Iron using phase of Vedic history 
? 
Answer: 
The copper and the bronze were available in abundance, while the use of iron was not 
known to the Rig Vedic Age. 
Question 6. 
Name any two of the four Varnas. 
Answer: 
The Brahmins and the Kshtriyas. 
 
Question 7. 
What w’as the position of women in the Rig Vedic age ? 
Answer: 
Women were treated as being equal with men. They took part in all religious rites. 
Women were given education. Girls had freedom in the choice of husbands. Monogamy 
any polygamy both were popular. Child-marriage the sati system and purdah did not 
exist among the Aryans. The women attended all the social functions and gatherings. 
People prayed for the birth of sons in particular, but there are no clues of prayers for the 
birth of a daughter. 
Question 8. 
What were the two main occupations of the Rig Vedic Aryans? 
Answer: 
Domestication of the animals and agriculture. 
Question 9. 
What form of worship did the Aryans follow during the early Vedic period? 
Answer: 
The early Vedic period comprised worshiping of  several gods. The Aryans used to 
worship Gods of the Sky or Heaven, Gods of the Atmosphere Gods of the Earth, 
Sacrifices or the Yajnas. 
Question 10. 
Name the two political institutions which exercised check on the powers of the King in 
the Rig Vedic period. 
Answer: 
The Samiti and the Sabha. 
Question 11. 
Mention the important features of the religion of the early Vedic period. 
Answer: 
The religion of the early Vedic period was very simple. The people worshiped various 
forces of nature as manifestations of the Supreme God. Thus, they worshiped a number 
of Nature Gods. The Aryans did not build any temples of worshiped idols. They used to 
chant hymns in the open air. Sacrifices or the Yajnas occupied a prominent place in the 
early Vedic period. 
Question 12. 
State the importance of Sacrifices in the early Vedic ritual. 
Answer: 
The Aryans propitiated their Gods by performing sacrifices. The common items of 
offerings for the sacrifice included ghee, milk, grain, flesh and soma juice. Every 
householder performed the sacrifice by kindling the sacred fire and reciting hymns. All 
the members of the family participated in these ceremonies. 
Question 13. 
Mention the important changes that took place in their religion of the later Vedic period. 
Answer: 
In the later Vedic period, Vajpeya sacrifice was performed by a new king at the time of 
his coronation. The Rajasuya sacrifice was performed to appease Gods in order to 
ensure the material well-being of the kingdom. The Ashvamedha sacrifice was 
performed for a powerful king to proclaim that he was the ‘King of Kings’. 
Sturctue Questions. 
Question 1. 
Discuss the sources to reconstruct the Early Vedic (Rig Vedic) Past with reference to 
the following: 
(a) Indra, the most favorite God of the Aryans 
(b) Agni, the personification of Sacrificial fire. 
(c) References to the Cow in the Rig Vedic hymns 
Answer: 
(a) 
In the Rig Veda, Indra is the king of the gods and ruler of the heavens. Indra is the God 
of thunder and rain and a great warrior, a symbol of courage and strength. He leads the 
Deva (the gods who form and maintain Heaven) and the elements, such as Agni (Fire), 
Varuna (Water) and Surya (Sun). He thus fights in a timeless battle between good and 
evil. As the God of war, he is also regarded as one of the guardians of the directions, 
representing the East. As the favorite national god of the Vedic Indians, Indra has about 
250 hymns dedicated to him in the Rigveda, more than those devoted to any other god 
and almost one fourth of the total number of hymns of the Rigveda. 
(b) 
Agni, the Vedic god of fire who presides over the earth, has made transition into the 
Hindu pantheon of gods, without losing his importance. With Vayu and Indra, who 
presided over the air and sky, he is one of the supreme gods in Rig Veda. The link 
between heaven and earth, he is associated with Vedic sacrifice, taking offerings to the 
other world in the fire. Agni is a deva, second only to Indra in the power and importance 
attributed to him in Vedic mythology. Agni stands for knowledge for it is seen by the 
learned people, covering all things that move and do not move and because it is 
summers the Devatas endowed with knowledge. The light Agni units is the light of 
knowledge, therefore it is known as illuminator of knowledge who lights up the path 
leading to truth. 
(c) 
Cow has been a symbol of wealth since ancient Vedic times. In the Rig Veda, the cows 
figure frequently as symbols to  wealth, and also in comparison with river goddesses. 
The Vedic god Indra is often compared to a bull. River are often linked to cows in the 
Rigveda. 
 
Page 4


Early Vedic Civilization 
EXERCISES 
 
Question 1. 
Name any two early Aryan settlements. 
Answer: 
The early Aryans settled in the Sapta-Sindhu region which comprised the five rivers of 
Punjab namely—Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and the river Indus (Sindhuj 
and the river Sarasvati. 
Question 2. 
Name the first of the Vedas. Or Which is the oldest Vedic literature. 
Answer: 
The Rig Veda is the oldest Vedic literature. 
Question 3. 
What does the Rijj Veda contain ? 
Answer: 
It contains hymns in praise of different Gods and Goddesses like – Indra, varuna and 
Agni. 
Question 4. 
Mention any of the Vedic hymns that enables us reconstruct the Early Vedic Civilization. 
Answer: 
Agni. Agni was the personification of the ‘sacrificial fire.’ Sacrifices or yajnas occupied a 
prominent place in the early Vedic religion. Agni was thought of a messenger or a 
bearer of offerings (of milk, grain, ghee, etc.) from men to Gods. 
Question 5. 
How can you say that the Rig Vedic Age was the Non Iron using phase of Vedic history 
? 
Answer: 
The copper and the bronze were available in abundance, while the use of iron was not 
known to the Rig Vedic Age. 
Question 6. 
Name any two of the four Varnas. 
Answer: 
The Brahmins and the Kshtriyas. 
 
Question 7. 
What w’as the position of women in the Rig Vedic age ? 
Answer: 
Women were treated as being equal with men. They took part in all religious rites. 
Women were given education. Girls had freedom in the choice of husbands. Monogamy 
any polygamy both were popular. Child-marriage the sati system and purdah did not 
exist among the Aryans. The women attended all the social functions and gatherings. 
People prayed for the birth of sons in particular, but there are no clues of prayers for the 
birth of a daughter. 
Question 8. 
What were the two main occupations of the Rig Vedic Aryans? 
Answer: 
Domestication of the animals and agriculture. 
Question 9. 
What form of worship did the Aryans follow during the early Vedic period? 
Answer: 
The early Vedic period comprised worshiping of  several gods. The Aryans used to 
worship Gods of the Sky or Heaven, Gods of the Atmosphere Gods of the Earth, 
Sacrifices or the Yajnas. 
Question 10. 
Name the two political institutions which exercised check on the powers of the King in 
the Rig Vedic period. 
Answer: 
The Samiti and the Sabha. 
Question 11. 
Mention the important features of the religion of the early Vedic period. 
Answer: 
The religion of the early Vedic period was very simple. The people worshiped various 
forces of nature as manifestations of the Supreme God. Thus, they worshiped a number 
of Nature Gods. The Aryans did not build any temples of worshiped idols. They used to 
chant hymns in the open air. Sacrifices or the Yajnas occupied a prominent place in the 
early Vedic period. 
Question 12. 
State the importance of Sacrifices in the early Vedic ritual. 
Answer: 
The Aryans propitiated their Gods by performing sacrifices. The common items of 
offerings for the sacrifice included ghee, milk, grain, flesh and soma juice. Every 
householder performed the sacrifice by kindling the sacred fire and reciting hymns. All 
the members of the family participated in these ceremonies. 
Question 13. 
Mention the important changes that took place in their religion of the later Vedic period. 
Answer: 
In the later Vedic period, Vajpeya sacrifice was performed by a new king at the time of 
his coronation. The Rajasuya sacrifice was performed to appease Gods in order to 
ensure the material well-being of the kingdom. The Ashvamedha sacrifice was 
performed for a powerful king to proclaim that he was the ‘King of Kings’. 
Sturctue Questions. 
Question 1. 
Discuss the sources to reconstruct the Early Vedic (Rig Vedic) Past with reference to 
the following: 
(a) Indra, the most favorite God of the Aryans 
(b) Agni, the personification of Sacrificial fire. 
(c) References to the Cow in the Rig Vedic hymns 
Answer: 
(a) 
In the Rig Veda, Indra is the king of the gods and ruler of the heavens. Indra is the God 
of thunder and rain and a great warrior, a symbol of courage and strength. He leads the 
Deva (the gods who form and maintain Heaven) and the elements, such as Agni (Fire), 
Varuna (Water) and Surya (Sun). He thus fights in a timeless battle between good and 
evil. As the God of war, he is also regarded as one of the guardians of the directions, 
representing the East. As the favorite national god of the Vedic Indians, Indra has about 
250 hymns dedicated to him in the Rigveda, more than those devoted to any other god 
and almost one fourth of the total number of hymns of the Rigveda. 
(b) 
Agni, the Vedic god of fire who presides over the earth, has made transition into the 
Hindu pantheon of gods, without losing his importance. With Vayu and Indra, who 
presided over the air and sky, he is one of the supreme gods in Rig Veda. The link 
between heaven and earth, he is associated with Vedic sacrifice, taking offerings to the 
other world in the fire. Agni is a deva, second only to Indra in the power and importance 
attributed to him in Vedic mythology. Agni stands for knowledge for it is seen by the 
learned people, covering all things that move and do not move and because it is 
summers the Devatas endowed with knowledge. The light Agni units is the light of 
knowledge, therefore it is known as illuminator of knowledge who lights up the path 
leading to truth. 
(c) 
Cow has been a symbol of wealth since ancient Vedic times. In the Rig Veda, the cows 
figure frequently as symbols to  wealth, and also in comparison with river goddesses. 
The Vedic god Indra is often compared to a bull. River are often linked to cows in the 
Rigveda. 
 
Question 2. 
Describe the social life of the Rig Vedic Aryans with reference to the following: 
(a) The Family Structure 
(b) Position of Women 
(c) Varna System 
Answer: 
With reference to the given heads the social life of the Rig Vedic Aryans is 
described below: 
(a) 
The Family Structure: The basic unit of the social structure was the ‘family’. The joint 
family system was prevalent. Houses in this age, were built of wood or reed. The Rig 
Vedic society was patriarchal in which Grihyapati(master of the house) dominated in 
family and social life. 
(b) 
Position of Women: Women were given equal status to that of men in society. They 
were permitted to participate in all the religious rites. Gaining of education had not been 
restricted to them. There w’ere women scholars who composed hymns and were well-
versed in the sacred scriptures. Girls could seek husbands of their own choice. 
Monogamy was in custom, but polygamy w’as also practiced by many. Child-marriage, 
the Sati system and Purdah did not exist among the Aryans, The w’omen attended all 
social functions and gatherings. The general tendency of people w’as to have male 
births rather than the females. They used to perform prayers seeking the birth of the 
male-child. But, in case of females, people had a repulsive attitude they did not like to 
have female-baby. 
(c)  
Varna System: One hymn in the last book of the Rig Veda refers to four orders of 
society — the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, the Vaisyas and the The people w’ho explained 
the Vedic texts and performed the religious ceremonies were called the Brahmins. 
Those w’ho belonged to the ruling class, were the Kshatriyas. The common people, 
w’ho were engaged in agriculture, trade and industry were the Vaisyas. The Shudras 
were the menial workers who did not have much to ow’n. Scholars are of the opinion 
that the term ‘Varna’ in the Rig Veda, refers to the racial difference between the Aryans 
and non-Aryans. It is in this context that therferms Ary a Varna and Dasa Varna came 
into use. There was no ban on the taking of food cooked by Shudras and no restrictions 
on intermarriages or change of occupation. 
Question 3. 
With reference to the following explain the main features of the Rig Vedic Economy: 
(a) Agriculture 
(b) Domestication of Animals 
(c) Trade Transactions, Crafts and Transportation 
Answer: 
With reference to the given headings, the economic life of the Rig Vedic Aryans is 
explained as follows: 
(a) Agriculture: The Rig Vedic Aryans were mainly scattered in villages. They 
frequently prayed for plentiful rain and bountiful harvest, large herds of cattle and good 
Page 5


Early Vedic Civilization 
EXERCISES 
 
Question 1. 
Name any two early Aryan settlements. 
Answer: 
The early Aryans settled in the Sapta-Sindhu region which comprised the five rivers of 
Punjab namely—Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and the river Indus (Sindhuj 
and the river Sarasvati. 
Question 2. 
Name the first of the Vedas. Or Which is the oldest Vedic literature. 
Answer: 
The Rig Veda is the oldest Vedic literature. 
Question 3. 
What does the Rijj Veda contain ? 
Answer: 
It contains hymns in praise of different Gods and Goddesses like – Indra, varuna and 
Agni. 
Question 4. 
Mention any of the Vedic hymns that enables us reconstruct the Early Vedic Civilization. 
Answer: 
Agni. Agni was the personification of the ‘sacrificial fire.’ Sacrifices or yajnas occupied a 
prominent place in the early Vedic religion. Agni was thought of a messenger or a 
bearer of offerings (of milk, grain, ghee, etc.) from men to Gods. 
Question 5. 
How can you say that the Rig Vedic Age was the Non Iron using phase of Vedic history 
? 
Answer: 
The copper and the bronze were available in abundance, while the use of iron was not 
known to the Rig Vedic Age. 
Question 6. 
Name any two of the four Varnas. 
Answer: 
The Brahmins and the Kshtriyas. 
 
Question 7. 
What w’as the position of women in the Rig Vedic age ? 
Answer: 
Women were treated as being equal with men. They took part in all religious rites. 
Women were given education. Girls had freedom in the choice of husbands. Monogamy 
any polygamy both were popular. Child-marriage the sati system and purdah did not 
exist among the Aryans. The women attended all the social functions and gatherings. 
People prayed for the birth of sons in particular, but there are no clues of prayers for the 
birth of a daughter. 
Question 8. 
What were the two main occupations of the Rig Vedic Aryans? 
Answer: 
Domestication of the animals and agriculture. 
Question 9. 
What form of worship did the Aryans follow during the early Vedic period? 
Answer: 
The early Vedic period comprised worshiping of  several gods. The Aryans used to 
worship Gods of the Sky or Heaven, Gods of the Atmosphere Gods of the Earth, 
Sacrifices or the Yajnas. 
Question 10. 
Name the two political institutions which exercised check on the powers of the King in 
the Rig Vedic period. 
Answer: 
The Samiti and the Sabha. 
Question 11. 
Mention the important features of the religion of the early Vedic period. 
Answer: 
The religion of the early Vedic period was very simple. The people worshiped various 
forces of nature as manifestations of the Supreme God. Thus, they worshiped a number 
of Nature Gods. The Aryans did not build any temples of worshiped idols. They used to 
chant hymns in the open air. Sacrifices or the Yajnas occupied a prominent place in the 
early Vedic period. 
Question 12. 
State the importance of Sacrifices in the early Vedic ritual. 
Answer: 
The Aryans propitiated their Gods by performing sacrifices. The common items of 
offerings for the sacrifice included ghee, milk, grain, flesh and soma juice. Every 
householder performed the sacrifice by kindling the sacred fire and reciting hymns. All 
the members of the family participated in these ceremonies. 
Question 13. 
Mention the important changes that took place in their religion of the later Vedic period. 
Answer: 
In the later Vedic period, Vajpeya sacrifice was performed by a new king at the time of 
his coronation. The Rajasuya sacrifice was performed to appease Gods in order to 
ensure the material well-being of the kingdom. The Ashvamedha sacrifice was 
performed for a powerful king to proclaim that he was the ‘King of Kings’. 
Sturctue Questions. 
Question 1. 
Discuss the sources to reconstruct the Early Vedic (Rig Vedic) Past with reference to 
the following: 
(a) Indra, the most favorite God of the Aryans 
(b) Agni, the personification of Sacrificial fire. 
(c) References to the Cow in the Rig Vedic hymns 
Answer: 
(a) 
In the Rig Veda, Indra is the king of the gods and ruler of the heavens. Indra is the God 
of thunder and rain and a great warrior, a symbol of courage and strength. He leads the 
Deva (the gods who form and maintain Heaven) and the elements, such as Agni (Fire), 
Varuna (Water) and Surya (Sun). He thus fights in a timeless battle between good and 
evil. As the God of war, he is also regarded as one of the guardians of the directions, 
representing the East. As the favorite national god of the Vedic Indians, Indra has about 
250 hymns dedicated to him in the Rigveda, more than those devoted to any other god 
and almost one fourth of the total number of hymns of the Rigveda. 
(b) 
Agni, the Vedic god of fire who presides over the earth, has made transition into the 
Hindu pantheon of gods, without losing his importance. With Vayu and Indra, who 
presided over the air and sky, he is one of the supreme gods in Rig Veda. The link 
between heaven and earth, he is associated with Vedic sacrifice, taking offerings to the 
other world in the fire. Agni is a deva, second only to Indra in the power and importance 
attributed to him in Vedic mythology. Agni stands for knowledge for it is seen by the 
learned people, covering all things that move and do not move and because it is 
summers the Devatas endowed with knowledge. The light Agni units is the light of 
knowledge, therefore it is known as illuminator of knowledge who lights up the path 
leading to truth. 
(c) 
Cow has been a symbol of wealth since ancient Vedic times. In the Rig Veda, the cows 
figure frequently as symbols to  wealth, and also in comparison with river goddesses. 
The Vedic god Indra is often compared to a bull. River are often linked to cows in the 
Rigveda. 
 
Question 2. 
Describe the social life of the Rig Vedic Aryans with reference to the following: 
(a) The Family Structure 
(b) Position of Women 
(c) Varna System 
Answer: 
With reference to the given heads the social life of the Rig Vedic Aryans is 
described below: 
(a) 
The Family Structure: The basic unit of the social structure was the ‘family’. The joint 
family system was prevalent. Houses in this age, were built of wood or reed. The Rig 
Vedic society was patriarchal in which Grihyapati(master of the house) dominated in 
family and social life. 
(b) 
Position of Women: Women were given equal status to that of men in society. They 
were permitted to participate in all the religious rites. Gaining of education had not been 
restricted to them. There w’ere women scholars who composed hymns and were well-
versed in the sacred scriptures. Girls could seek husbands of their own choice. 
Monogamy was in custom, but polygamy w’as also practiced by many. Child-marriage, 
the Sati system and Purdah did not exist among the Aryans, The w’omen attended all 
social functions and gatherings. The general tendency of people w’as to have male 
births rather than the females. They used to perform prayers seeking the birth of the 
male-child. But, in case of females, people had a repulsive attitude they did not like to 
have female-baby. 
(c)  
Varna System: One hymn in the last book of the Rig Veda refers to four orders of 
society — the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, the Vaisyas and the The people w’ho explained 
the Vedic texts and performed the religious ceremonies were called the Brahmins. 
Those w’ho belonged to the ruling class, were the Kshatriyas. The common people, 
w’ho were engaged in agriculture, trade and industry were the Vaisyas. The Shudras 
were the menial workers who did not have much to ow’n. Scholars are of the opinion 
that the term ‘Varna’ in the Rig Veda, refers to the racial difference between the Aryans 
and non-Aryans. It is in this context that therferms Ary a Varna and Dasa Varna came 
into use. There was no ban on the taking of food cooked by Shudras and no restrictions 
on intermarriages or change of occupation. 
Question 3. 
With reference to the following explain the main features of the Rig Vedic Economy: 
(a) Agriculture 
(b) Domestication of Animals 
(c) Trade Transactions, Crafts and Transportation 
Answer: 
With reference to the given headings, the economic life of the Rig Vedic Aryans is 
explained as follows: 
(a) Agriculture: The Rig Vedic Aryans were mainly scattered in villages. They 
frequently prayed for plentiful rain and bountiful harvest, large herds of cattle and good 
health. It shows that agriculture was an important occupation of the village folk. 
However, the only grain referred to in the Rig Veda is Yava which could mean grain in 
general or barley in particular. 
(b) Domestication of Animals: The Rig Vedic Aryans had mainly a pastoral economy. 
Cattle formed an important item of dona (gifts) made to the priests. The word Gomat 
was used to signify a wealthy person. It meant the one who possessed many cattle, 
especially the cows and bulls. Other domesticated animals were the ox, the horse, the 
dog, the goat and the sheep. 
(c) Trade Transactions, Crafts and Transportation: 
The people were engaged in trade, cloth and leather goods being the main items. The 
barter system practiced for trade transactions. The cow was the standard unit of value. 
Men and women were engaged in weaving cloth. The metal-workers or the smiths were 
skilled in making weapons, implements and ornaments. The metal ayas mentioned in 
the Rig Veda is generally taken to mean copper or bronze, although it has been 
understood as iron also. 
They used horses and bullocks for carrying goods from place to place. They also 
transported goods through the inland rivers