The Decline of Harappan Civilization: Causes, Theories, and New Discoveries

The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, flourished around 2500 BCE and showcased remarkable advancements in urban planning, trade, and craftsmanship.

However, by 1900 BCE, cities such as Harappa, Mohenjodaro, and Kalibangan began to experience a gradual decline, marking the beginning of what is known as the Late Harappan Period.

This era is divided into two phases—the Transitional Phase (1900-1700 BCE) and the Cemetery H Phase (1700-1300 BCE). The reasons for this decline remain a subject of debate among scholars, with various theories attributing it to climate change, natural disasters, and socio-cultural transformations.

Read about.. Harappan Civilization

Characteristics of the Decline

1. Deterioration of Urban Planning and Construction
   • The later phase of Harappan civilization saw the use of old, dilapidated bricks in new constructions, leading to poor-quality buildings.
   • Houses encroached upon roads and streets, signaling a breakdown in urban planning.
2. Rise of Slums and Rural Settlements
   • Rural settlements increased in areas like Prabhas Patan (Somnath) and Rangpur, indicating a shift away from urban centers.
3. Neglect of Major Buildings
   • Significant structures such as the Great Bath and the Granary were abandoned and fell into total disuse.
4. Abandonment of Major Sites
   • Important cities like Harappa, Mohenjodaro, and Cholistan (abandoned around 1800 BCE) were deserted.
5. Migration and Population Shifts
   • The population expanded into new regions, including Gujarat, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, suggesting large-scale migrations.
6. Transformation of Material Culture
   • City life declined, leading to the disappearance of key Harappan artifacts such as weights, seals, and beads.
   • Writing, long-distance trade, and craft specialization ceased to exist.

Theories Behind the Decline of Harappan Civilization

Scholars have proposed multiple reasons for the decline of the Harappan Civilization, including climatic changes, natural disasters, and socio-political factors.

1. Climate Change and Drought

• A study of stalactite rock formations in Mawmluh cave suggests a severe drought phase lasting 200 years around 2000 BCE.
• This prolonged arid period, known as the Meghalayan Age, affected many civilizations globally and may have triggered mass migrations.

2. Flooding and River Course Changes

• Evidence of silt deposits on the streets of Mohenjodaro suggests severe flooding episodes.
• The changing course of the Indus River could have rendered some areas uninhabitable, contributing to urban decline.

3. Increased Aridity and Soil Degradation

• The drying up of the Ghaggar-Hakra River channel likely reduced soil fertility, leading to agricultural decline and food shortages.

4. Loss of Cultural and Economic Unity

• The disappearance of standardized weights, seals, and pottery, along with the shift to local weights, suggests a breakdown in economic integration.
• These changes led to a loss of cohesion within the civilization, making it more vulnerable to decline.

The Aryan Invasion Theory: A Disputed Hypothesis

Some scholars, such as Mortimer Wheeler, proposed that the Harappan Civilization was invaded and destroyed by the Aryans. However, this theory has been widely contested.

Arguments in Favor of the Aryan Invasion Theory:

• The presence of exotic tools and pottery in the later phase suggests a slow influx of new people into the Indus region.
• Signs of violence, including hoards of buried jewelry and clustered skeletons, hint at possible conflict.
• The Rigveda mentions a battle at a place called Hariyupiya, which some scholars associate with Harappa.

Arguments Against the Aryan Invasion Theory:

• The initial Aryan migrations were small and unlikely to have overpowered established Harappan cities.
• Aryans are believed to have arrived around 1500 BCE, while the Harappan decline began in 1900 BCE, creating a chronological gap.
• The decline of Harappan Civilization was gradual, rather than a result of a violent conquest.

Check this also.. Indus valley Civilization

New Discoveries and Continuity with the Vedic Age

Recent excavations suggest that some Harappan settlements continued evolving into the Vedic Age, challenging the notion of an abrupt collapse.

Kunal Village (Fatehabad, Haryana)

• Located on the Sarasvati-Ghaggar River system, this pre-Harappan site dates back to 8000 years ago (C14 dates 5700-6000 BCE).
• The discovery of Hakra-ware, black-on-red ware, and Painted Greyware at different excavation levels suggests a cultural continuity between Harappan and Vedic societies.
• Major discoveries include mud-brick houses, a copper furnace, a steatite bead-making workshop, terracotta artifacts, and long-distance trade indicators such as marine shells.

Birhana Village (Fatehabad, Haryana)

• The oldest known Harappan site, dating back to 7570-6200 BCE, situated on the Sarasvati-Ghaggar River system.
• Excavations revealed multi-roomed houses, straight roads, terracotta wheels, pottery, seals, and a potsherd with an engraving similar to the Dancing Girl of Mohenjodaro.
• The presence of copper chisels, arrowheads, and charred grains of wheat and barley suggests advanced craftsmanship and agriculture.