Harappan Civilization (also known as Indus Valley Civilization) was a remarkable ancient urban culture that flourished between 2600 and 1900 BCE in what is today Pakistan and northwestern India. Around 1900 BCE the civilization started to decline and eventually disintegrated. We will look at the different factors which contributed to this society’s decline in this article.
1. Harappan Civilization: An Introduction
Harappan Civilization is characterized by well-planned and advanced cities. It also had standardized weights, measures and material culture. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are major sites.
1.1 Characteristics of Culture
- Urban PlanningThe cities were designed in grid patterns with uniform street sizes and house dimensions.
- Trade and EconomicsThe evidence of trade between Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) and Central Asia indicates a prosperous economy supported by agriculture and craft.
- Scripts and SealsA civilization that developed a non-decipherable script produced seals with intricate images of animals, and perhaps deities.
2. Harappan Decline Chronology
Three phases can be distinguished in the decline of Harappan Civilization:
Harappan Phase Mature (2600-1900 BCE).
- The peak urbanization of cultural achievement.
- Significant trade networks established.
Late Harappan phase (1900-1500 BCE).
- A gradual drop in trade and urban activity.
- Evidence of small settlements.
Post-Harappan Phase (after 1500 BCE)
- It was a fragmentation of the civilization into small tribal groups.
- Change to regional culture with local variation.
3. Theorys about the decline of Harappan civilization
There are many theories explaining why the Harappan Civilization declined.
3.1 Environmental Factors
- Climate ChangeStudies of sediment-cores indicate a decrease in rainfall during the monsoon around 2000 BCE. This had a negative impact on agriculture.
- River DynamicsIt is possible that the drying of Ghaggar-Hakra River forced residents to leave urban areas.
3.2 Factors Economic
- Trade disruptionsIt is possible that the decline of long-distance trading with areas like Mesopotamia has destabilized our economy.
- Agriculture FailuresFood security would have suffered if water availability had been reduced, resulting in crop failure.
The Social and Political Dimension
- Invasion, Conflict or InvasionA few theories suggest that Indo-Aryan invaders may have caused the decline. However, there are no definitive evidences.
- Strife InternalFortifications found in settlements later suggest possible conflict between city states or external groups.
Technology Factors
- Urban InfrastructureMaintenance of the infrastructure, such as water and drainage systems, declined with cities.
- Culture StagnationLack of innovation and poor urban planning could have been a factor in the decline.
4. Study of Harappan sites that have declined
4.1 Mohenjo-Daro
- ArchitectureBuildings with major structural failures have been documented.
- Dispersal PopulationArchaeological evidence indicates that people started moving into smaller settlements around 1900 BCE.
Harappa
- Economic shiftsSite shows decline in luxury items and indicators of foreign trade.
- Material CultureChanging pottery styles indicate a move towards regional traditions.
Dholavira
- Water ManagementDroughts are known to cause the collapse of complicated water storage systems.
- Cultural Adaptation: A cultural change is occurring as urban centres are replaced by smaller villages.
5. You can also read our conclusion.
It appears that the decline of Harappan Civilization is a result of a number of factors including economic problems, environmental change, potential invasions, and social conflict. It is unlikely that it was a singular catastrophe, but rather a slow process of fragmentation and adaptation to a new society.
FAQ
1. Harappan Civilization was known for what?
Harappan Civilization (also known as Indus Valley Civilization) was famous for its sophisticated urban planning, drainage networks, trading networks, script and seal carving.
2. When did Harappan Civilization fall?
Around 1900 BCE the Harappan Civilization began to decline, as it transitioned from an urban phase that was mature to smaller regional culture.
3. What theories are there about the decline of the economy?
The theories about this decline include social conflict, environmental disruptions (such as climate changes), and technological stagnation.
4. Was there an invasion involved in the fall of Harappan Civilization?
There is no evidence that outside invaders caused the collapse.
5. What was the impact of decline on the Harappan Civilization people?
As a result of this decline, the population dispersed into smaller settlements. This led to a transition from one regional culture with variations in localities to another.
This overview gives a comprehensive look at the issues that surround the fall of Harappa, one of world’s oldest urban cultures.
