1. How do scholars know that Indo-Aryans raised cattle and depended upon their milk, but later turned to agriculture?
A. Archaeologists have found evidence of the changes in tools used.
B. The Bhagavad-Gita tells of the ancient people's lifestyle.
C. The Vedas provide a record of how the Indo-Aryans lived.
D. DNA matches from people today are able to detect the change in diet in bone history.
C. The Vedas provide a record of how the Indo-Aryans lived.
The correct answer is C. The Vedas provide a record of how the Indo-Aryans lived. The Vedas, a collection of ancient texts in India, provide detailed descriptions of the lifestyle and practices of the Indo-Aryans. They mention the importance of cattle and the consumption of their milk, as well as the transition to agriculture. Archaeologists and DNA analysis may provide additional supporting evidence, but the primary source for understanding the Indo-Aryans' lifestyle is the Vedas.
The correct answer is C. The Vedas provide a record of how the Indo-Aryans lived.
To understand how scholars know that Indo-Aryans raised cattle and later turned to agriculture, it is important to consider the sources available for studying the ancient Indo-Aryan culture. The Vedas are the oldest sacred texts in Hinduism and were composed in ancient Sanskrit by Indo-Aryan people. They serve as rich sources of information about various aspects of ancient Indian society, including their lifestyle, religious beliefs, and rituals.
The Rigveda, which is the oldest and most important Veda, provides insights into the Indo-Aryans' way of life. It contains hymns dedicated to various deities, as well as descriptions of their social practices and concerns. Within the Rigveda, there are references to cattle being an important part of the Indo-Aryan society. Cows were considered valuable, and the Indo-Aryans relied on them for milk, butter, and other dairy products.
Additionally, the Rigveda mentions the importance of agriculture, specifically the cultivation of barley. It provides information about farming practices, the use of ploughs, and rituals associated with agriculture. This helps scholars establish the transition from a pastoral lifestyle centered around cattle-rearing to one that included agriculture.
Through the study of the Vedas, scholars are able to gain insights into the Indo-Aryan civilization and understand how they relied on cattle and later adopted agriculture. These ancient texts are invaluable in reconstructing the lives of the Indo-Aryans and understanding the changes they went through over time.