Q. With reference to the Later Vedic period, consider the following statements:
1.The use of iron around 1000 BC played a major role in expanding agriculture by enabling the clearing of dense rainforests.
2.Barley remained the only cultivated crop during this period, as there was little agricultural diversification.
3.The emergence of rudimentary towns like Hastinapur and Kaushambi was closely linked to agricultural surplus and population growth.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: C
Notes:
Explanation:
- The discovery and use of iron around 1000 BC was instrumental in clearing thick forests, particularly in northern and eastern India, making more land available for agriculture.
- The Later Vedic period saw a diversification of crops, including wheat, rice, pulses, lentils, millet, sugarcane, and til (sesame) in addition to barley.
- Agricultural surplus and economic expansion led to population growth and the emergence of rudimentary urban centers such as Hastinapur and Kaushambi, inhabited by elites and supported by peasant produce.
Source- NCERT and Ancient India – NCERT (R.S.Sharma)
