A History of Agriculture in India v1.c3.8

v1.c3.8

Since man started cultivation of crops and intercourse among people living far apart began through trade, diffusion of cultivars also occurred. Indigenous crops of India are few, viz. rice, urd, moong, kulthi, sarson, cotton and sugarcane. As far back as Harappan times wheat, peas and chana came from western Asia via Iran. Africa gave us jowar, bajra and sesamum. The best evidence of this statement is in the finds of foodgrains from archaeological sites and supported by cytogenetic and phytogeographic research. ¹⁴Carbon-dating and pollen analysis have further helped in elucidation of the facts concerning ancient plant economy.