According to early Vedic sources, which of the following combinations best represents the staple food of the Vedic Aryans?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to ancient Indian history and culture, focusing on the dietary habits of the Vedic Aryans. Knowing the staple foods of early societies helps us understand their agriculture, economy and lifestyle. For the Vedic Aryans, grains formed an important part of the diet, and certain cereals are frequently mentioned in the Vedic texts.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is the staple food of the Vedic Aryans.
• We are asked to choose the most appropriate combination.
• Options include barley and rice, milk and its products, rice and pulses, and vegetables and fruits.
• We assume standard interpretations of Vedic literature used in history texts.

Concept / Approach:
Vedic literature often mentions barley (yava) as a primary cultivated cereal and an important staple grain. In the later Vedic period, rice (vrihi) also became increasingly important in the diet. While milk and milk products were also significant, the term “staple food” in many exam contexts typically refers to the main cereals that provided bulk nutrition, namely barley and rice. Therefore, the best answer is the combination that includes both these cereals.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that barley is one of the earliest and most frequently mentioned grains in the Rigvedic hymns. Step 2: Remember that rice becomes more prominent in the later Vedic period as cultivation practices evolve. Step 3: Consider which option lists both of these grains together. Step 4: Identify that “Barley and rice” is the only combination that directly mentions the two cereals. Step 5: Select “Barley and rice” as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative Check:
History textbooks and exam guides often state that the main cereals of the Vedic Aryans were barley and, later, rice. Milk and milk products were indeed important, especially in pastoral early Vedic society, but questions about “staple food” usually focus on cereals that formed the base of cooked meals such as gruel or bread. This focus is reinforced by the repeated appearance of barley and rice in ritual and everyday contexts in Vedic literature.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b (Milk and its products) describes important food items but does not capture the cereal-based staple in the same way and excludes grains. Option c (Rice and pulses) is incomplete because it ignores the centrality of barley in early Vedic times. Option d (Vegetables and fruits) were part of the diet but not the main staple providing most of the caloric intake. Therefore, these combinations are less accurate than “barley and rice” for the specific phrase “staple food.”

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to focus on the pastoral image of the Vedic Aryans and pick milk and milk products as the staple, overlooking the parallel importance of cereals. Another mistake is to assume that the diet resembled modern Indian diets, leading to a choice like rice and pulses. To avoid this, remember that Vedic economy was both pastoral and agricultural, with barley and later rice forming the primary cereal staples.

Final Answer:
The staple food of the Vedic Aryans is best represented by the combination of barley and rice.