Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Crops in India are classified into three seasons based on their sowing and harvesting periods: Rabi, Kharif, and Zaid. The question asks to classify peanut (also known as groundnut).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Kharif Crops: These are the monsoon crops, sown at the beginning of the rainy season (June-July) and harvested in autumn (September-October). They require warm, wet weather. Examples include rice, maize, soybean, and peanut (groundnut).} \\ \bullet & \text{Rabi Crops: These are the winter crops, sown in winter (October-December) and harvested in spring (April-June). They require cool, dry weather. Examples include wheat, barley, gram, and mustard.} \\ \bullet & \text{Zaid Crops: These are summer crops grown in the short season between Rabi and Kharif crops (March-June). Examples include watermelon, muskmelon, and cucumber.} \\ \end{array}\]
Since peanut is sown during the monsoon season, it is a Kharif crop.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Peanut is a Kharif crop.