The earliest evidence of silver in India is found in the

Archaeological evidence from Indus/Harappan sites shows a range of metal objects including silver, and studies of metal finds from Harappan contexts record an abundance of silver artefacts — indicating that the earliest attested silver in the subcontinent occurs with the Harappan culture [3]. Punch‑marked silver coins are a later numismatic development and do not represent the earliest evidence of silver use in India [1]. Although Chalcolithic/pre‑Harappan cultures predate the Mature Harappan phase, their metal assemblages (e.g., Mehrgarh) are primarily early copper/bronze evidence, whereas clear silver artefacts are characteristic of Harappan contexts [2]. Hence the best answer is Harappan culture (option 1).

Sources

1. [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: New Beginnings: Cities and States > More Innovations > p. 74
2. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Early India: The Chalcolithic, Megalithic, Iron Age and Vedic Cultures > 2.1 Pre-Aryan, Late Harappan and Chalcolithic Cultures of India > p. 18