Correct Answer: (C) Mehrgarh

Explanation:

Mehrgarh, located in Balochistan, Pakistan (now considered part of the Indus Valley Civilization area), holds the distinction of having the earliest evidence of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent. Archaeological finds suggest that settled communities practiced farming there as early as 7000 BCE. This predates the development of other major agricultural centers in the region.

Here’s a breakdown of why the other options are less likely:

• (A) Lothal: This Indus Valley Civilization site in Gujarat, India, flourished much later than Mehrgarh, around 3200-2000 BCE.
• (B) Harappa: Similar to Lothal, Harappa was another prominent Indus Valley Civilization center in Punjab, Pakistan, existing after the establishment of agriculture.
• (D) Mundigak: Located in Afghanistan, Mundigak is an important archaeological site with evidence of early settlements, but the agricultural practices there appear to have begun slightly later compared to Mehrgarh.