UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper 1 · Question 20
In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate?
Correct answer: Option B
History
Options
- (a) Rigveda
- (b) Atharvaveda
- (c) Ashtadhyayi
- (d) Arthashastra
Detailed solution
Answer
Option (B) — Atharvaveda
Explanation
- The term kshetra-patni meaning 'mistress of the field' is found in the Atharvaveda, indicating women's association with agricultural land in Vedic society.
- The Atharvaveda contains hymns related to everyday life, agriculture, and domestic affairs, and provides insights into the social and economic roles of women in the later Vedic period.
- This term has been interpreted by scholars as evidence that women had certain rights or connections to agricultural land in Vedic times.