Question

Which of the following factors could have contributed to the people of Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley getting more involved in non-agricultural activities such as construction, trade, and craftsmanship?

• A. The seals being utilised were helping them gain trust across civilisations.
• B. These civilisations entrusted the task of hunting and gathering to specific communities.
• C. Being river valley civilisations, they were able to grow surplus crops beyond what was needed.
• D. The civilisations were in a race to construct more and trade more than the other.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Being river valley civilisations, they were able to grow surplus crops beyond what was needed.

Civilisations tended to unfold in river valleys for a variety of reasons. The most obvious one was access to a reliable and constant source of water for agriculture and other needs. Sufficient water and the enrichment of the soil due to annual floods made it possible for these civilisations to grow excess crops beyond what was required to sustain an agricultural village. This trend might have allowed some members of the community to get involved in non-agricultural activities.