Question

Name four major agricultural products produced in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Hint:

Key crops of the Indus Valley Civilization: Wheat, Barley, Rice, and Cotton. Cotton is especially important as it highlights their pioneering role in textile production. Always mention that agriculture was supported by fertile alluvial soil, irrigation, and surplus storage in granaries.

Answer 1

Agriculture was the backbone of the Indus Valley Civilization and provided the economic foundation of their society. The fertile alluvial soil of the Indus River and its tributaries made the land highly suitable for cultivation. The people of this civilization used wooden ploughs, irrigation channels, and even stored water in reservoirs to support farming in both summer and winter seasons. Their surplus production helped sustain large urban populations like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
The four major agricultural products of the Indus Valley Civilization were:
1. Wheat:
Wheat was one of the staple food grains produced by the people. Archaeological findings of wheat grains from Harappa confirm its widespread use. It served as the primary diet of the people and was stored in granaries for year-round consumption.
2. Barley:
Barley was another important crop cultivated in large quantities. Barley was used as food and possibly for brewing purposes. The presence of barley grains has been unearthed in many Indus sites, proving its significance in the agricultural system.
3. Rice:
Rice cultivation was also practiced in certain regions of the Indus Valley, especially in the eastern areas such as Lothal and Rangpur (in present-day Gujarat). Though less common than wheat and barley, rice marked agricultural diversity and adaptation to different geographical conditions.
4. Cotton:
Cotton was the most remarkable crop of the Indus Valley Civilization. In fact, this civilization is considered one of the earliest in the world to grow cotton and weave it into cloth. Archaeological discoveries of cotton threads and textile fragments highlight their advanced textile industry, which became an important part of their economy and trade.
Apart from these, peas, sesame, and mustard were also grown. Livestock farming was often combined with agriculture to support their food and economic system.