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Ancient Indian Agriculture

Ancient Names of Crops: Rice, Mung, Barley, Sugarcane

In ancient India, Vrihi refers to Rice, Mudga to Mung bean, Yava to Barley, and Ikshu to Sugarcane.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class 11 - Ancient India (R.S. Sharma)

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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. Vrihi1. Sugarcane
B. Mudga2. Rice
C. Yava3. Mung bean
D. Ikshu4. Barley

[RAS/RTS Prelims 2021]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


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

Authentic Source Evidence


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

Analytical Breakdown


  • 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.

    • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

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

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

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "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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