UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I
Question 10: History and Culture
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 :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The two statements claim that wells watered new farmland and that animal power lifted the water. Evidence of mechanical water-lifting supports the first: the Rigveda mentions the ashma chakra (stone wheel or pulley) and ahava (strapped pails or troughs) for drawing water. The use of oxen for ploughing and pulling carts since before the Rigveda supports the second. Axes and sickles only show tools for clearing and harvesting; they say nothing about irrigation or draught power.
- 1. Stone wheel and strapped pails show water was drawn from wells.
- 2. Axes and sickles are tools for clearing and harvesting, not for irrigation or traction.
- 3. Oxen were used for ploughing and carts before the Rigveda, so animal power was available.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Stone wheel and strapped pails show water was drawn from wells.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a) and (b) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: Axes and sickles are tools for clearing and harvesting, not for irrigation or traction.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.
This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: item 2, tools like axes and sickles, does not bear on irrigation or draught power.
- (b) Wrong: item 2 is not relevant to either statement.
- (c) Right: pulley and pails support well irrigation; use of oxen supports animal power.
- (d) Incomplete: item 1 also supports the well-irrigation claim.
Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.