Indus Valley Civilization:
Que. The decline of Harappan civilization was caused by ecological degradation rather than external invasion. Discuss. [UPSC CSE-2015]
Approach:
(1) Explain briefly the given statement.
(2) Mention the external invasion theory and its limitations.
(3) Mention the ecological degradation theory.
(4) Conclude by stating the role of ecological degradation theory is remarkable in the decline of Harappan civilisation.
Introduction:
The decline of the Harappan civilization is a complex historical issue, and while both ecological degradation and external invasion have been proposed as potential causes, there is strong evidence to support the argument that ecological factors played a more central role in its downfall. Here’s a discussion of why ecological degradation is considered a primary driver of the decline:
Aryan Invasion Theory:
(1) Origin of Theory: The idea that the civilization was destroyed by the Aryan invaders was put forward by Ramprasad Chanda in 1926. It was later elaborated by Mortimer Wheeler in 1947.
(2) Evidence of the Theory: This idea was supported by the references in the Rig Veda to various kinds of forts, attacks on walled cities, and the epithet Purandara (destroyer of forts) given to the god Indra. He also identified a place called Hariyupiya in the Rig Veda with Harappa, where Aryan fought the battle. It has been pointed out that in the late phases of occupation at Mohenjodaro there is evidence of a massacre. Human skeletons have been found lying on the streets.
Problems with Aryan invasion theory:
(1) No Archaeological Evidence: The evidence from the Rig Veda is far from conclusive. There are no archaeological records to support this theory. There is, in fact, no evidence of any kind of military assault or conflict at any Harappan site.
(2) Raids may be by Some Other Bandits: The human bodies lying exposed in the street could have been caused by raids of bandits from surrounding hilly tracks.
(3) Inaccurate Date: The provisional date for the decline of the Harappan civilization is believed to be 1800 B.C. The Aryans on the other hand are believed to have arrived here not earlier than a period around 1500 B.C. So, the Harappans and the Aryans are unlikely to have met each other. The later research has shown that the dates as well as the pace of decline varied from site to site. The decline in Mohenjodaro had set in by 2200 BCE but the civilization continued at many places till 1800 BCE. While Mohenjodaro and Dholavira give a picture of gradual decline, at Kalibangan and Banawali, the city life ended all of sudden.
Ecological Degradation Theory:
(1) Origin of Theory:
Scholars like Fairservis tried to explain the decay of the Harappan civilization in terms of the problems of ecology.
Explanation: According to him, the delicate ecological balance of the semi-arid areas was being disturbed because the human and cattle population was fast depleting the scanty forests, food and fuel resources. The combined needs of the Harappan townsmen, peasants and pastoralists exceeded the limited production capacities of these areas. Thus, a growing population of men and animals confronted by scanty resources wore out the landscape.
(2) Gradual Process:
With forests and grass cover gradually disappearing, there were more floods and droughts. This depletion of the subsistence base caused strain on the entire economy of the civilization. There seems to have been a gradual movement away to areas which offered better subsistence possibilities. That is why the Harappan communities moved towards Gujarat and the eastern areas, away from the Indus.
(3) Monsoon Link Theory of 2012:
Though there are some concerns in this theory (for example) the enduring fertility of soils of the Indian subcontinent over the subsequent millennia disapproves the hypothesis of soil exhaustion), but still it explains the decline in the best way. The rise and fall of the Harappan civilization is also explained by the Monsoon Link Theory of 2012. It is presented by Ronojoy Adhikari, Liviu Giosan and others. According to this theory it is climate change which is responsible for the decline of the Harappan civilization.
Explanation: According to this theory, around 4000 BCE there existed extreme monsoon climate which was not favourable for the rise of civilization but with the weakening of the monsoon, the climate became favourable for the rise of the mighty Harappan civilization and with the further weakening of the monsoon, the climate became again unfavourable which led to the decline of the civilization. The example of this further weakening is the disappearance of the Saraswati river that was rainfed not Glacier fed. This theory is based on the latest archaeological evidence and research and best explains the decline of the Harappan civilization on the basis of the ecological degradation rather than the Aryan Invasion. S
(4) Water Scarcity:
The Harappan cities relied heavily on the Indus and Saraswati river systems for agriculture, trade, and water supply. Changes in river courses, reduced water flow, or shifts in monsoon patterns would have had direct implications for water availability and agricultural practices.
In contrast, the evidence for external invasion as the primary cause is less clear and often relies on indirect indicators. The decline of the Harappan civilization seems to have been a prolonged process marked by the abandonment of urban centers, changing settlement patterns, and shifts in subsistence strategies. These patterns align more closely with the impact of ecological challenges on agricultural productivity and urban sustainability.
Conclusion:
While external invasion might have contributed to the decline of the Harappan civilization, the weight of evidence suggests that ecological degradation, including climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, and their cascading effects, was a primary and fundamental driver of its downfall. The civilization’s inability to effectively cope with these ecological challenges appears to have been a decisive factor in its eventual decline.
