Decline of Harappan Civilization

Decline of Harappan Civilization

Key notes

The decline of the Harappan urban system occurred gradually after around 1900 BCE. It was not necessarily a single event or uniform process across all regions.[ncert.nic]

Main features of decline

• Deurbanisation.
• Decline of long-distance trade.
• Disappearance of standardised urban features.
• Reduced use of writing and seals.
• Regionalisation of material culture.
• Movement of populations toward smaller settlements.
• Expansion toward the upper Ganga-Yamuna region and other areas.

Possible causes

Environmental changes

• Changes in river courses.
• Floods.
• Droughts.
• Climate change.
• Decline in monsoon strength.
• Water stress.
• Ecological degradation.

Economic factors

• Decline in external trade.
• Disruption of raw-material supply.
• Weakening of craft specialisation.
• Collapse of urban redistribution systems.

Social and political factors

• Weakening of central or regional institutions.
• Internal stress.
• Transformation of settlement patterns.
• Conflict is possible but not conclusively established.

Migration and cultural transformation

• Populations may have dispersed or migrated.
• Late Harappan cultures continued in several regions.
• There was no complete disappearance of Harappan traditions.
• Many agricultural and craft practices continued.

Rejected or cautious theories

• The old “Aryan invasion” explanation is not accepted as a sufficient explanation for the civilisation’s decline.
• Evidence for widespread destruction is limited.
• Decline was likely multi-causal and regionally varied.

MCQs

1. The decline of the mature Harappan urban phase began broadly after:

   • A. 1900 BCE
   • B. 600 BCE
   • C. 1500 CE
   • D. 320 CE
     Answer: A

2. Which was a possible factor in Harappan decline?

   • A. Climate and river changes
   • B. Printing technology
   • C. Industrial Revolution
   • D. Gunpowder warfare
     Answer: A

3. The decline of Harappan civilisation was:

   • A. Gradual and regionally varied
   • B. A single sudden event everywhere
   • C. Caused only by one battle
   • D. Completely unrelated to environmental change
     Answer: A

4. After urban decline, Harappan traditions:

   • A. Continued in regional cultures
   • B. Completely disappeared
   • C. Shifted to Europe
   • D. Were replaced immediately by Roman culture
     Answer: A

5. Which theory is not adequate as a complete explanation today?

   • A. Simple Aryan invasion theory
   • B. Multi-causal decline
   • C. Environmental stress
   • D. Trade disruption
     Answer: A