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RAS/RTS Prelims 2021

Ancient Indian Agriculture

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: | List-I (Vedic Name) | List-II (Modern Name) | | :--- | :--- | | A. Vrihi | 1. Sugarcane | | B. Mudga | 2. Rice | | C. Yava | 3. Mung bean | | D. Ikshu | 4. Barley |

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Vedic and Post-Vedic Sanskrit literature provide specific technical terms for agricultural produce, reflecting the dietary staples of the period.

Explanation According to the NCERT and Charaka Samhita: Vrihi is Rice; Mudga is Mung Bean (Green Gram); Yava is Barley; and Ikshu is Sugarcane.

Logical Breakup
A-2 (Vrihi): Primarily refers to rice, which became a staple in the later Vedic period as tribes moved into the Gangetic valley.
B-3 (Mudga): The common name for mung beans in Ayurveda and Vedic texts.
C-4 (Yava): The oldest known cereal in the Rig Veda, meaning barley.
D-1 (Ikshu): Refers to the 'noble cane' or sugarcane, from which the word 'sugar' (Sharkara) eventually derived.

Active Recall

Question

Which of these crops was the earliest staple of the Rig Vedic Aryans?

Answer

Yava (Barley) was the earliest staple mentioned, while Vrihi (Rice) gained prominence during the later Vedic migration eastward.

Core Insight

The transition in terminology from Yava (Barley) to Vrihi (Rice) tracks the historical movement of the Aryans from the semi-arid Punjab to the monsoon-rich Gangetic plains.

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