Q. 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:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 3 only

Answer : B/C

Explanation:

Statement I is correct: The Rigveda explicitly mentions ashma chakra (a stone pulley-wheel) and ahava (wooden water pails fastened with leather ropes). This serves as definitive proof of a functional well-water irrigation mechanism, supporting the fact that agriculture could expand into the semi-arid plains of Punjab and Haryana away from riverbanks.
Statement II is not correct: Parashu (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle) are tools for forest clearing and harvesting—no direct link to well irrigation or draught-animal water drawing.
Statement III is correct: The domestication of oxen for pulling heavy plows (langala) and transport carts (anas) was deep-rooted since pre-Vedic times (Harappan period). This established history of utilizing draft animals directly supports Statement II, as these animals were naturally adapted to pull ropes and lift water from deep wells.

Source: NCERT — Ancient India (Class XI History), Page 3
WisdomLib — Ashma Chakra in the Rigveda