U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 2015

Early Vedic Socio-Economy

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

In the early Rigvedic period, what was considered to be the most valuable property?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept The early Vedic society was pastoral and semi-nomadic, meaning mobile wealth (cattle) was prized over immovable wealth (land).

Explanation The Rigveda uses terms like 'Gavishti' (search for cows) for war and 'Duhitr' (milker) for daughter, reflecting the cattle-centric economy.

Logical Breakup
Cow (B): Used as a medium of exchange, a unit of value, and the primary prize in tribal conflicts.
Land (A): Private ownership of land was not established in the early Rigvedic period; land became valuable only in the later agrarian Vedic phase.

Active Recall

Question

Why was land not considered valuable in the early Rigvedic period?

Answer

Since the tribes were semi-nomadic and focused on cattle rearing, they did not practice settled agriculture on a scale that required permanent land ownership.

Core Insight

The cow was so central to the Rigvedic people that it dictated their vocabulary, social status, and religious rituals.