The correct option is 1 only
Explanation
The transition from hoe agriculture to plough agriculture, facilitated by the introduction of the iron-tipped ploughshare, was a critical economic development in ancient India. This shift occurred primarily during the 6th century BCE and was instrumental in generating the agricultural surplus required for the rise of Mahajanapadas and the Second Urbanisation.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The use of the plough, particularly with an iron ploughshare, spread significantly in the fertile alluvial river valleys (such as the Ganga and Kaveri valleys) from c. 6th century BCE. This technology allowed for the deep turning of heavy alluvial soil, which was necessary for high-yield crops like paddy (rice).
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The adoption of plough agriculture was uneven across the subcontinent due to varying ecological conditions. In semi-arid areas, such as parts of Punjab and Rajasthan, the use of the plough did not become prevalent until much later (often as late as the 20th century in some contexts, but certainly not widespread in the 6th century BCE). These regions were not immediately conducive to the intensive plough-based farming seen in the river valleys.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Hoe agriculture was not completely abandoned. In hilly tracts and the northeastern and central parts of the subcontinent, the terrain was unsuited for plough agriculture. Consequently, cultivators in these regions continued to use the hoe for shifting cultivation well beyond the Mauryan period.
Key Takeaway:
The agricultural revolution of the 6th century BCE, driven by the iron ploughshare, was geographically limited to fertile alluvial plains. Semi-arid regions and hilly tracts retained older methods like hoe agriculture for centuries due to ecological constraints.