The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The agricultural economy of the Harappan civilization was established in regions that required specific water management strategies due to climatic conditions.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Most Harappan sites were located in semi-arid lands, not regions of heavy rainfall. Consequently, irrigation was necessary for agriculture. While traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan, they are not widely found in Punjab or Sindh, likely because ancient canals silted up long ago.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Given the semi-arid environment, the Harappans developed methods to manage water resources. Water was stored and supplied to the fields during the growing season. A prominent example is Dholavira in Gujarat, where water reservoirs were constructed to store water for agricultural use.
Key Takeaway: The Harappan civilization sustained agriculture in semi-arid regions through the use of irrigation and water storage systems, such as canals and reservoirs.