1. Cattle:
- Cattle were one of the earliest domesticated animals in the Indus Valley.
- They provided milk, meat, and were also used for ploughing fields and transportation.
2. Sheep and Goats:
- Sheep and goats were domesticated for their wool and meat.
- They were essential for clothing and food.
3. Pigs:
- Pigs were raised for their meat and fat.
- They were a significant source of protein for the Indus Valley people.
4. Horses:
- Horses were introduced to the Indus Valley during the later period.
- They were used for transportation, warfare, and trade.
5. Dogs:
- Dogs were domesticated as companions and for hunting.
- They played an important role in guarding homes and livestock.
6. Poultry (Chickens):
- Poultry keeping was also practiced in the Indus Valley.
- Chickens were raised for eggs and meat.
7. Water Buffalo:
- Water buffaloes were domesticated for their milk and as draught animals.
- They were particularly useful in the wet, marshy regions of the Indus Valley.
The domestication of animals allowed the Indus Valley people to have a stable food supply and enabled them to shift from a primarily hunting and gathering lifestyle to a settled agricultural society. It also facilitated trade and commerce within the region and with other civilisations.
