Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period :

I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface.
II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells.

Which of the following information support/supports the above statements ?

1. There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra / sreni (sickle).
3. There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.

Select the answer using the code given below :

The two assertions are: (I) well irrigation enabled agriculture to expand beyond flood plains; (II) draught-animal power was used to draw water from wells.

• Statement 1 supports both assertions: The ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) are well-irrigation devices, and the use of a draft animal to operate the pail mechanism implies draught-animal power for water lifting — corroborating both I and II.
• Statement 2 does NOT support either assertion: Parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle) are general agricultural/clearing tools related to cultivation and harvesting, not to well irrigation or draught-animal use for drawing water.
• Statement 3 supports assertion II: Evidence of oxen being used before the Rigvedic period for ploughing and pulling carts establishes the availability of draught-animal power.

Statements 1 and 3 support the given assertions; statement 2 does not. Correct answer: C (1 and 3 only).