[Solved] Who first cultivated cotton? | India and Indus Valley

For clothing, cotton cultivation was first introduced in-

[U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 2006]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Identifying the centers of early crop domestication is a core part of agricultural and economic history.

Authentic Source Evidence

Archeological finds at Mohenjo-daro (India/Pakistan) include woven cotton fragments and impressions on pots, dating to c. 3000 BCE, the earliest in the world.

Analytical Breakdown

India (D): Specifically the Indus Valley Civilization, which was the world's pioneer in cotton textile production.

Egypt/Mesopotamia: Primarily used linen (from flax) or wool in their earliest phases.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What term did the Greeks use for Indian cotton?"

They called it 'Sindon', a word derived from 'Sindhu' (Indus), reflecting its origin.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Cotton production was a 'luxury tech' of the ancient world that gave the Indus Valley a significant trade advantage in international markets."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

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