IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : India History From 8th to Mid 15th Century - Agricultural Productions

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

History India From 8th to Mid 15th Century

Agricultural Productions

Structure

21.0 Objectives
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Extent of Cultivation
21.3 Means of Cultivation and Imgation 21.3.1 Means and Methods of Cultivation
21.3.2 Means of Imgation
21.4 Agricultural Produce
21.4.1 Food Crops
21.4.2 Cash Crops
21.4.3 Fruits, Vegetables and Spices
21.4.4 Productivity and Yields
21.5 Cattle and Livestock
21.6 Let Us Sum Up
21.7 Key Words
21.8 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

21.0 OBJECTIVES

This Unit deals with agricultural production in India during the period of this study.
After going through this Unit you would

have an idea about the extent of cultivation during the period under study;
know about the means and methods of cultivation and irrigation;
be able.to list the main crops grown; and
have some idea about the status of livestock and cattle breeding.

21.1 INTRODUCTION

India has a very large land area with diverse climatic zones. Throughout its history,
agriculture has been its predominant productive activity. During the Mughal period,
large tracts of land were under the plough. Contemporary Indian and foreign writers
praise the fertility of Indian soil.
In this Unit, we will discuss many aspects including the extent of cultivation, that is
the land under plough. A wide rangdof food crops, fruits, vegetables and crop
were grown in India. However, we would take a stock only of the main crop grown
during this period. We will also discuss the methods of cultivation as also the
implements used for cultivation and irrigation technology. While focusing on the area
under Mughal control, we will also include the areas lying outside it.