upscdictionary:: Indus Valley Civilization (Agriculture, Animals and Trade)

Indus Valley Civilization

Agriculture

AGRICULTURE

1. Agriculture was the backbone of the civilization. The soil was fertile due to inundation in the river Indus.
2. They used wooden plough share (Evidence ploughed field fromkalibangan) and stone sickles for harvesting.
3. Crops produced were wheat, barley, dates, peas, sesamum, mustard, millet, ragi, bajra and jowar. At Lothal and Rangpur rice husks were found.
4. Indus valley civilized people were 1^st to produce cotton in the world, which Greeks called as Sindon derived from sind. A fragment of woven cotton cloth was found at Mohenjodaro.
5. Well-irrigation is evident from the dams and irrigation canals found at Dholavira sugarcane was not known to the Indus people

DOMESTICATON OF ANIMALS

1. Animal rearing was practiced. They domesticated buffaloes, oxens, sheep, asses, goats, pigs, elephants, dogs, cats, etc
2. Camel bones are reported at kalibangan and remains of horse are discovered from Surkotada.

TRADE (Includes Imports and Exports)

1. Agriculture, industry and forest provided the basis for internal and external trade.
2. Trade was based on barter system coins are not evident. Bullock carts and boats were used for transportation.
3. Weights and measures were made of limestone, steatite etc. generally in cubical shape and in multiples of 16.
4. Foreign trade flourished with Mesopotamia or sumeria Iraq, Central Asia, Persia, Afghanistan and Bahrain.

Towns and trade important

Harappa Towns	Famous Industry
Daimabad	Bronze Industry
Lothal Factory	Stone tools, Metallic finished goods
Bajakot	Pearl Finished goods, Bangle and Shell Industry
Chanhudaro	Beads and Bangles factory
Kalibangana	Bangles factory

Major Imports of Indus Valley Civilization

MAJOR IMPORTS

Imports	From
Gold	1.     Kolar (Karnataka) 2.     Afghanistan 3.     Persia (Iran)
Silver	1.     Afghanistan 2.     Persia (Iran) 3.     South India
Copper	1.     Khetri (Rajasthan) 2.     Balochistan 3.     Arabia
Tin	1.     Afghanistan 2.     Hazaribagh (jharkhand)
Lapis lazuli and Saphire	1.     Badak-Shan (Afghanistan)
Jade	1.     Central Asia
Steatite	1.     Shahr-i-Sokhta 2.     Kirthar Hills
Amethyst	1.     Maharashtra

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Indus Valley Civilization