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UPSC Prelims 1989 · Agriculture · Soils
The beginning of urbanization of the Ganges from the 6th century (BCE) was mainly attributed to
- (a) Fertility of soil
- (b) Trade improvement
- (c) Population growth
- (d) None of the above
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Fertility of soil
The fertile Gangetic alluvium produced a food surplus that could support cities (the second urbanisation).
Why the others are wrong
(b) Trade grew later, on the back of that surplus.
(c) Population growth followed the surplus.
The trap
Trade and population grew too — but the surplus came first.
🔒 Second urbanisation (6th c. BCE): iron tools + fertile Ganga plains → surplus → mahajanapadas.