In the context of ancient history, what was considered the main strength of the Indus Valley economy during its mature phase?

Introduction / Context:
The Indus Valley civilisation, also known as the Harappan civilisation, was one of the earliest urban civilisations in South Asia. It is known for its planned cities, drainage systems, and standardised weights and measures. To sustain such large urban centres, a strong economic base was required. While trade and crafts were important, the fundamental strength of the Indus economy lay in its agricultural base. This question tests your knowledge of what historians and archaeologists generally consider the main economic pillar that supported the civilisation.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The period in question is the mature phase of the Indus Valley civilisation.
• The civilisation had large urban centres like Harappa and Mohenjo daro.
• Evidence of agriculture, trade, and craft production has been found through excavations.
• Modern technologies such as electricity were not available in that ancient period.

Concept / Approach:
The economic life of any ancient urban civilisation generally rests on its ability to produce a surplus of food. In the Indus Valley, fertile alluvial plains, irrigation, and seasonal rivers allowed the cultivation of crops such as wheat and barley. This agricultural surplus freed some people from food production and allowed them to engage in crafts, trade, administration, and other specialised activities. Trade, both internal and external, was significant and supported prosperity, but without a stable agricultural base the cities could not have been sustained. Therefore, the main strength of the Indus economy is correctly identified as agriculture rather than trade, mining, or any modern technology.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Indus Valley civilisation had large, planned cities that required a stable food supply. Step 2: Recognise that agricultural surplus is necessary to support non farming urban populations. Step 3: Note that archaeological evidence points to extensive farming of wheat, barley, and other crops in the region. Step 4: Understand that while trade and crafts were important, they depended on the food security provided by agriculture. Step 5: Observe that modern technologies such as electricity did not exist at that time. Step 6: Conclude that a strong and productive agricultural base was the main strength of the Indus economy.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consider what would happen to an urban civilisation without a reliable agricultural base. Cities would struggle to obtain sufficient food and would likely decline or remain very small. Excavations in the Indus region have revealed granaries, storage structures, and irrigation channels, indicating organised agricultural production and storage of surplus. Trade artefacts such as seals and weights show that commerce was active, but they do not by themselves prove that trade was the single foundation of the economy. Instead, they suggest a diversified economy built on a solid agricultural base. This reasoning supports the conclusion that agriculture was the core strength of the Indus economic system.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The option claiming that long distance trade networks were the sole foundation of the economy exaggerates the role of trade and ignores the necessity of food production. The option mentioning electricity is anachronistic and clearly incorrect for an ancient civilisation. The option that emphasises extensive mining as the only major activity overlooks the broader evidence for farming and crafts. The option suggesting exclusive reliance on nomadic herding contradicts the settled urban nature of the civilisation and the archaeological evidence of farming and permanent structures. Therefore, these options do not accurately describe the main strength of the Indus economy.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to be impressed by artefacts of trade, such as seals and imported goods, and conclude that trade was the only or main economic base. Another error is to project modern technologies like electricity or industrial mining back into ancient times without historical evidence. Students should remember that for early civilisations, agriculture almost always plays a central role in supporting urbanisation and specialisation. Keeping this pattern in mind helps in correctly answering questions about the economic foundations of ancient societies, including the Indus Valley civilisation.

Final Answer:
Thus, the main strength of the Indus economy was a strong and productive agricultural base supporting urban life, on which trade and crafts could successfully develop.