The passage explicitly states that dietary practices were reconstructed from charred grains and seeds. These remains reveal what plant foods Harappans consumed. Option B is therefore correct. Options A, C, and D are not directly supported by the evidence of charred grains and seeds mentioned in the passage.

The passage specifically mentions that archaeo-zoologists study animal bones found at Harappan sites. Through such analysis, they identify species and determine domestication patterns. Therefore Option C is correct. The passage does not mention script decoding, Mesopotamian texts, or seed analysis for identifying animal consumption.

Mackay identified two forms of saddle querns at Harappan sites. While one was clearly used for grinding cereals, the other may have been used for processing herbs and spices. Options A, B, and C are not supported by the archaeological interpretation of food preparation equipment.

Lentil and chickpea remains have been recovered from Harappan sites, showing that they formed part of the Harappan diet. Their cultivation reflects established agricultural practices. Therefore Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because these crops were not exclusively wild species gathered by hunters. Hence Option A is the correct answer.

Sesame was among Harappan plant foods (4). Millets are notably found in Gujarat (3). Archaeo-botanists study ancient plant remains (1), while archaeo-zoologists analyze animal bones (2). Therefore the correct matching is a-4, b-3, c-1, d-2, represented by Option C.

Archaeological evidence indicates that wheat and barley were common Harappan crops, while rice remains are relatively rare. Millets have been found particularly in Gujarat. Therefore Option D is incorrect because rice was neither the most abundant crop nor universally consumed throughout the civilisation.

Animal bones recovered from Harappan sites have been extensively studied by archaeo-zoologists. These studies indicate that cattle, sheep, goats, buffaloes, and pigs were domesticated. Therefore both statements are true, and the Reason directly explains the basis for the Assertion, making Option A correct.

Although bones of wild animals such as boar, deer, and gharial have been recovered, archaeologists cannot conclusively determine whether Harappans hunted these animals or acquired them from specialized hunting groups. Hence Option B is correct. The other options make unsupported or speculative claims.

The Harappans consumed fish along with domesticated animals and plant foods. This indicates a diversified subsistence strategy utilizing aquatic and terrestrial animal resources. Therefore Option D best captures the broader pattern. Options A, B, and C unnecessarily restrict Harappan food sources.

Archaeological evidence from Harappan sites shows that fish and fowl formed part of the diet. Animal bones indicate the consumption of domesticated species such as cattle, sheep, goats, buffaloes, and pigs. Bones of wild species like boar, deer, and gharial have also been found. Therefore, Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because Harappans did not rely exclusively on domesticated animals. Hence, Option B is correct.

Archaeologists have found terracotta models of ploughs at Banawali and in Cholistan, while a ploughed field was discovered at Kalibangan. However, perfectly preserved wooden ploughs have not been recovered from Mohenjodaro. Therefore Option B is incorrect and hence the correct answer. The remaining options are supported by archaeological evidence.

Archaeologists infer the use of oxen for ploughing from agricultural evidence and comparisons with traditional farming practices. However, the Harappan script has not yet been deciphered, and no explicit written description of oxen ploughing exists. Therefore Assertion is true, Reason is false, and Option C is correct.

Kalibangan is famous for its ploughed field. Terracotta plough models have been found in Cholistan. Dholavira possessed sophisticated water reservoirs, while traces of canals have been identified at Shortughai. Thus the correct matching is a-1, b-2, c-3, d-4, represented by Option A.

The ploughed field at Kalibangan showed intersecting furrows arranged at right angles. Archaeologists interpret this as evidence of growing two crops simultaneously, a practice similar to mixed cropping. There is no evidence of tractors, abandonment, or merely seasonal ploughing. Therefore Option B is correct.

Archaeological evidence indicates that stone blades were widely used for harvesting and may have been fitted into wooden handles. Scholars continue to debate the precise harvesting technology employed. The Harappans were a Bronze Age civilisation. Statement 3 is incorrect because iron sickles were not standard Harappan tools. Therefore Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct, making Option A the correct answer.

Food preparation logically begins with harvesting crops. After harvesting, cereals are ground using saddle querns to make flour or meal. Finally, the processed food is cooked in terracotta or metal vessels. Thus, the correct sequence is Harvesting → Grinding → Cooking, represented by Option D.

Harappan agriculture operated largely in semi-arid regions where irrigation was important. Archaeologists suggest that wells, canals, and reservoirs may have supplied agricultural water. Therefore Option B is incorrect because the word "never" is unsupported. Options A, C, and D are consistent with archaeological interpretations.

Archaeologists have identified traces of canals at Shortughai. Similar evidence has not been found in Punjab or Sind, but this absence does not prove canals never existed there. Ancient canals may have disappeared through silting and landscape changes. Therefore both statements are true, and the Reason explains the Assertion.

Dholavira is known for extensive water reservoirs. Shortughai provides evidence of canals. Kalibangan yielded the famous ploughed field with intersecting furrows, while Banawali produced terracotta plough models. Therefore the correct matching is a-2, b-1, c-4, d-3, making Option D correct.

Most Harappan settlements were located in semi-arid regions where rainfall alone may not have been sufficient for agriculture. Archaeologists therefore infer the importance of irrigation methods such as wells, canals, and reservoirs. Options A, B, and D are extreme or unsupported conclusions. Hence Option C is correct.