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Ancient History – Mains Question 07

1. Discuss the factors responsible for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
Approach:
❖ Introduction: You can briefly introduce the Indus Valley Civilisation.
❖ Body: Briefly describe the factors that contributed to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation .
❖ Conclusion: The exact cause of the civilization's decline remains a subject of debate among historians
and archaeologists.

Answer:
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, flourished in the northwestern region
of the Indian subcontinent from about 2600 BC to 1900 BC. However, this once-thriving civilization eventually
declined and disappeared, leaving behind only ruins and artifacts.
Causes of Decline of Indus Valley Civilisation:
❖ Climate Change: One of the primary reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization was a change
in the climate. The region became increasingly arid, which made it difficult for farmers to grow crops.
This led to a decline in food production, which eventually led to food shortages and famine.
❖ Natural Disasters: The Indus Valley Civilization was also vulnerable to natural disasters, such as floods
and earthquakes. These events could have caused significant damage to the infrastructure of the cities
and disrupted trade and commerce.
❖ Environmental Degradation: The Indus Valley Civilization was highly dependent on the Indus River for
irrigation and transportation. However, the overuse of the river's water resources and the deforestation of
the surrounding areas could have led to environmental degradation and soil erosion, making
agriculture more difficult.
❖ Invasion and Migration: The Indus Valley Civilization was invaded by the Aryans, who migrated into
the region from Central Asia around 1500 BC. The Aryans brought with them their own culture and
language, which eventually replaced the Indus Valley Civilization's language and writing system.
❖ Social and Political Instability: The Indus Valley Civilization was a complex society, with several urban
centers and a highly organized system of government. However, over time, this system may have become
too centralized and rigid, leading to social and political instability. This could have weakened the
civilization's ability to respond to external threats.
The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization was likely due to a combination of factors, including climate
change, natural disasters, environmental degradation, invasion and migration, and social and political
instability. The exact cause of the civilization's decline remains a subject of debate among historians and
archaeologists.
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