Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period : I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface. II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells. Which of the following information support/supports the above statements ? 1. There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water. 2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu / kulisha (axe) and datra / sreni (sickle). 3. There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts. Select the answer using the code given below :

Option (C) — 1 and 3 only

• The Rigveda contains references to agricultural practices including irrigation using wells, with mentions of ashma chakra (stone wheel/pulley) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) for drawing water.
• The use of draught animals like oxen for ploughing and pulling carts predates the Rigvedic period and continued during it, supporting Statement II about draught-animal power for drawing water from wells.
• Implements like parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle) mentioned in the Rigveda relate to clearing land and harvesting. These support agriculture in general but do not specifically support the statements about irrigation from wells or the use of draught-animal power to draw water.
• Information 1 directly supports both statements (well-based irrigation technology), and Information 3 supports Statement II (use of animal power), while Information 2 is about general agricultural tools, not about irrigation or draught-animal use for water.

• 1. Evidence of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water: Supports the statements. This directly supports Statement I about irrigation from wells and the technology used for drawing water.
• 2. Mention of parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle): Does not support the statements. These are land-clearing and harvesting tools that relate to general agriculture, not specifically to well irrigation or use of draught-animal power for drawing water.
• 3. History of the use of ox for ploughing and pulling carts even before the Rigveda: Supports the statements. This supports Statement II about draught-animal power being employed to draw water from wells, as the use of animal power was already established.