Colorful illustration of ancient Indus Valley farmers irrigating fields of wheat and cotton, with boats on a river at sunset.

Indus Valley (Harappan) farmers developed an advanced agricultural system utilizing river floods for soil and water, and built irrigation canals to cultivate crops like wheat, barley, cotton, and various pulses and fruits. The Harappans domesticated a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, humped and shorthorn cattle, buffalo, pigs, camels, and possibly elephants, for agriculture, transport, and food. Through extensive trade, they expanded their cultural influence, using their long coastline and rivers for water traffic and exchanging goods like ivory, combs, and pearls for copper and tin with Western Asia, including Sumeria. They had advanced craftsmanship, diverse occupations, and sophisticated systems of weights and measures, including the use of a decimal system, all indicating a well-organized and thriving society. See more