Short Answer

The main occupation of the Indus Valley people was agriculture (farming). They grew crops like wheat, barley, and cotton using the fertile land near the Indus River. Farming was the primary source of food and livelihood for the people.

Apart from farming, they were also involved in trade, crafts, and animal husbandry. They raised animals like cattle and made goods such as pottery and beads, which they traded with other regions.

Detailed Explanation:

Main occupation of Indus Valley people

Agriculture as main occupation

The most important occupation of the people of the Indus Valley Civilization was agriculture. The land around the Indus River was very fertile because of regular flooding. These floods brought rich soil, which was very useful for growing crops. Because of this, farming became the main source of livelihood for the people.

The major crops grown by them included wheat and barley. These were their staple foods. They were also among the first people in the world to grow cotton. Cotton was used to make clothes, showing that they had knowledge of farming as well as textile production.

The farmers used simple tools made of wood and stone. They also knew how to plough the fields, as evidence of ploughed fields has been found at Kalibangan. This shows that agriculture was well developed and organized.

They depended on rainfall and river water for irrigation. The Indus River and its tributaries played a very important role in their farming activities. Water was easily available, which helped them grow crops successfully.

Other occupations

Although agriculture was the main occupation, the people were also involved in many other activities. One of these was animal husbandry. They domesticated animals like cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goats. These animals were useful for farming, milk, and other daily needs.

Another important occupation was trade. The Indus Valley people traded goods both within their region and with distant places. Archaeological evidence shows that they had trade relations with Mesopotamia. They traded items like beads, cotton textiles, pottery, and metal tools.

Craftsmanship was also highly developed. People were skilled in making pottery, jewelry, seals, and tools. Beautiful beads made of stones and metals have been found at many sites. This shows that they had advanced skills in arts and crafts.

Many people were also involved in making bricks, building houses, and constructing drainage systems. This shows that there were different types of workers in society, each doing a specific job.

The presence of granaries in cities like Harappa suggests that food grains were stored properly. This indicates that agriculture produced surplus food, which supported other occupations.

Importance of occupations

The occupations of the Indus Valley people show that their society was well-organized and developed. Agriculture provided food, while other occupations supported trade, economy, and daily life.

Because of surplus food production, people could focus on other activities like crafts and trade. This helped in the growth of cities and development of urban life.

The variety of occupations also shows division of labor, where different people specialized in different jobs. This is an important feature of a developed civilization.

Conclusion

The main occupation of the Indus Valley people was agriculture, supported by other activities like trade, animal husbandry, and crafts. These occupations helped in the growth and development of one of the earliest civilizations in the world.