Feeding the Cities
The growth of large cities like Harappa was only possible because of a robust agricultural system in the surrounding villages.
Crops
The Harappan diet was diverse, consisting of:
- Cereals: Wheat, Barley, Millets, and sometimes Rice (found in Lothal/Rangpur).
- Pulses: Lentils, chickpeas, peas.
- Others: Sesame, mustard, and Cotton (they were the first in Eurasia to cultivate cotton for cloth).
Technology
- Plough: Terracotta models of ploughs have been found (e.g., at Banawali), indicating they used bullocks to till the land.
- Irrigation: Evidence of canals (Shortugai) and wells suggests they didn’t rely solely on rain.
Animal Husbandry
- Domesticated: Cattle (humped bull), sheep, goat, buffalo, pig.
- Food: Fish and wild fowl were also consumed.
- Scientific Analysis: Residue analysis of cooking pots has revealed traces of turmeric, ginger, and banana, showing a sophisticated palate!
Note
The Plough: The invention of the plough was revolutionary. It allowed deeper turning of the soil, bringing nutrients to the surface and significantly increasing crop yields compared to using a simple hoe.