Ans: A

Exp:

The Vedas encapsulate the essence of Hindu dharma. They are replete with instances of sages and even gods consuming beef. In fact, a guest in a Hindu household used to be referred to – according to the Vedas -as ‘ goghna’ or he who is served beef as part of the hospitality ritual.” He refrains from making any overt political point, but after a pause, adds, “Religion was born for the need of society not the other way round.”

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: During later Vedic phase, agriculture became the mainstay of the Vedic people. Many rituals were introduced to initiate the process of agriculture. It also speaks of ploughing with yokes of six and eight oxen. The buffalo had been domesticated for the agricultural purposes.

Statement 2 is correct: The main factor in the expansion of the Aryan culture during the later Vedic period was the beginning of the use of iron around 1000 BC. The Rigvedic people knew of a metal called ayas which was either copper or bronze. In the later Vedic literature ayas was qualified with shyama or krishna meaning black to denote iron. Archaeology has shown that iron began to be used around 1000 BC which is also the period of later Vedic literature.

Statement 3 is correct: The two outstanding Rig Vedic Gods, Indra and Agni, lost their former importance. Prajapati, the creator came to occupy the supreme position during the later vedic age. Vishnu came to be regarded as the preserver and protector of the people. Pushan was regarded as the God of shudras who looked after the cattle.

Ans: B

Exp:

Pair 1 is correct and pair 2 is incorrect: A wealthy person was known as gomat and the daughter called duhitri which means one who milks the cow. The word gaveshana literally means search for cows, but it also means battle since many battles were fought over cattle. The cows were thought of as providers of everything.

Pair 3 is correct: For the first time, the Vedic people became acquainted with rice in the doab, called vrihi in the Vedic texts, and remains of it recovered from Hastinapur relate to the eighth century BC. Rice was also grown at Atranjikhera in Etah district at around the same time. The use of rice is recommended in Vedic rituals, but that of wheat only rarely.

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Samaveda is a collection of verses mostly taken from the Rigveda but arranged in a poetic form to facilitate singing. The Sama Veda was composed in musical notes which are considered to constitute the basis of Indian music. The aranyakas contain mystical ritual instructions to be undertaken in secret by the sages who live in the forests. Upanishads deal with philosophical enquiries.

Statement 2 is correct: The Yajurveda is found in two recensions, Black and White, and are full of rituals to be performed publicly or individually. The Yajurveda elaborates the rituals which accompany the recitation of hymns. The rituals and the hymns in this Samhita document the social and political milieu of this period.

Ans: C

Exp:

Archaeological evidence highlights the development of agriculture among the Rig Vedic people. The ploughshare is also mentioned in the Rig Vedas. The field was known as kshetra and the term krishi referred to ploughing. The terms langla and sura referred to plough and the term sita meant the furrow created by ploughing. Water for irrigation was probably drawn from wells by cattle-driven water-lifts using pulleys.