Question

Assertion (A): Gaveshti or battles took place to prevent cattle raids in the Rig Vedic period.

Reasoning (R): Cows held great economic value during the Rig Vedic period.

• A. Both A and R are true. R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. A is true but R is false.
• C. A is false but R is true.
• D. Both A and R are true. R is an incorrect explanation of A.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both A and R are true. R is the correct explanation of A.

Agriculture and domestication of animals were important professions in the Rig Vedic society. Various animals like cow, horse, bull, sheep, and goats were raised and considered as property. Animals like cows were regarded as sacred and respected. Cows held great economic value. Cow or Gau was the main wealth. Therefore, a wealthy person was known as gomat. The king or the chief was known as the gopati, means protector of the cattle. Gaveshti or battles took place to prevent cattle raids. Cow was also offered as the dana, i.e., gift and bali meaning tribute to priests and chief of the clan.