With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them. 2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron. 3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (c)
• Statement 1 is correct: the Rigveda mentions the varman (coat of mail) and sipra (helmet); no such armour has been found at Harappan sites.
• Statement 3 is correct: the horse was central to Vedic life and warfare; the Harappans have left no clear evidence of the horse (a few disputed bones apart).
• Statement 2 is wrong: the Harappans knew copper, bronze, gold and silver but not iron; iron came in the later Vedic period.
• Hence 1 and 3 only, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 3 on the horse is also correct.
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: Harappans did not know iron.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 2 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.