Select the correct statement from the following in the context of Harappan Civilisation.

The people who lived in the Harappan civilization used to consume food grains such as wheat, barley etc.

The correct answer is Option 1 - The people who lived in the Harappan civilization used to cultivate and consume food grains such as wheat.

Out of the given options, the only correct option is Option 1- The people who lived in the Harappan civilization used to consume food grains such as wheat, barley etc.

The other 3 options:

Option 2- 'Harappan culture was a complete vegetarian culture' is incorrect as is stated by the fact that the Harappans ate a wide range of plant and animal products, including fish.

Option 3- 'The people who lived in Harappan culture practised only hunting and gathering' is incorrect as archaeological evidence supports the fact that Harappans practised agriculture as well.

Option 4- 'The only food grain used by the Harappan people was wheat' is incorrect as many other grains are also found at Harappan sites which proves that they consumed grains other than wheat as well. Grains found at Harappan sites include wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea and sesame. Millets are found from sites in Gujarat

Explanatory text from NCERT:

The Mature Harappan culture developed in some of the areas occupied by the Early Harappan cultures. These cultures also shared certain common elements including subsistence strategies. The Harappans ate a wide range of plant and animal products, including fish. Archaeologists have been able to reconstruct dietary practices from finds of charred grains and seeds. These are studied by archaeo-botanists, who are specialists in ancient plant remains. Grains found at Harappan sites include wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea and sesame. Millets are found from sites in Gujarat. Finds of rice are relatively rare. Animal bones found at Harappan sites include those of cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo and pig. Studies done by archaeo-zoologists or zooarchaeologists indicate that these animals were domesticated. Bones of wild species such as boar, deer and gharial are also found. We do not know whether the Harappans hunted these animals themselves or obtained meat from other hunting communities. Bones of fish and fowl are also found.

Harappans and agriculture:

While the prevalence of agriculture is indicated by finds of grain, it is more difficult to reconstruct actual agricultural practices. Were seeds broadcast (scattered) on ploughed lands? Representations on seals and terracotta sculpture indicate that the bull was known, and archaeologists extrapolate from this that oxen were used for ploughing. Moreover, terracotta models of the plough have been found at sites in Cholistan and at Banawali (Haryana). Archaeologists have also found evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan (Rajasthan), associated with Early Harappan levels. The field had two sets of furrows at right angles to each other, suggesting that two different crops were grown together. Archaeologists have also tried to identify the tools used for harvesting. Did the Harappans use stone blades set in wooden handles or did they use metal tools? Most Harappan sites are located in semi-arid lands, where irrigation was probably required for agriculture. Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in Punjab or Sind. It is possible that ancient canals silted up long ago. It is also likely that water drawn from wells was used for irrigation. Besides, water reservoirs found in Dholavira (Gujarat) may have been used to store water for agriculture.