Which of the following is a reliable source of information about early Vedic period?
VerifiedAnswer: Rigveda
Explanation:
The Rigveda stands as the most authentic and reliable source of information about the early Vedic period in Indian history. This ancient text provides us with invaluable insights into the social, religious, economic, and political life of the Vedic people who lived around 1500-1000 BCE.
The Rigveda is a collection of 1,028 hymns organized into ten books called mandalas. These hymns were composed by different sages and passed down orally through generations before being written down. What makes the Rigveda particularly reliable is that it was created during the actual time period it describes, making it a contemporary source rather than a later historical account.
Through the Rigveda, we learn about the Vedic society's pastoral lifestyle, where people primarily engaged in cattle rearing and agriculture. The hymns reveal their religious practices, including the worship of nature gods like Indra (god of thunder and war), Agni (god of fire), Varuna (god of water), and Surya (sun god). These deities played central roles in Vedic religious ceremonies and daily life.
The text also provides information about the social structure of early Vedic society. While the rigid caste system had not yet developed, we can see the beginnings of social divisions based on occupation and birth. The Rigveda mentions various professions like priests, warriors, farmers, and craftsmen, giving us a picture of how society was organized.
The economic life of the Vedic people is also well-documented in the Rigveda. Cattle were considered the main form of wealth, and wars were often fought over cattle and grazing lands. The hymns mention trade, craftsmanship, and agricultural practices, showing us how people made their living during this period.
Archaeological evidence from sites like Harappa and Mohenjodaro relates to the Indus Valley Civilization, which preceded the Vedic period. While these sites provide valuable information about ancient Indian civilization, they cannot tell us specifically about the early Vedic period since the Indus script remains undeciphered, and the civilization had declined before the Vedic age began.
Later texts like the Puranas, while important for understanding Indian mythology and later historical periods, were compiled much later and often contain mythological elements mixed with historical facts. This makes them less reliable for understanding the specific characteristics of the early Vedic period compared to the contemporary evidence provided by the Rigveda.
