UPSC Prelims 2017 Question:

With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them. 
2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron. 
3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation: 

• • In contrast to the Indus Valley Civilization people, Rigvedic Aryans used a helmet and coat of mail in battle. There is no evidence for the people of Indus Valley Civilization for using such equipments. So, statement 1 is correct. 

• The Rigvedic Aryans were familiar with gold, silver, and copper. Metals used during Indus Valley Civilization included gold, silver, tin, copper, etc. However, they were not familiar with Iron. Indus Valley was a Bronze Age civilization. So, statement 2 is not correct.
   

• The horse was domesticated by Rigvedic Aryans. In the Indus Valley Civilization, evidence of the horse comes from a superficial level of Mohenjodaro and from a doubtful terracotta figurine from Lothal. The remains of a horse are reported from Surkotada, situated in west Gujarat, and relate to around 2000 BCE but the identity is doubtful. So, statement 3 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Vedic Age