{"id":23456,"date":"2026-04-10T19:29:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T13:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/?p=23456"},"modified":"2026-04-10T19:29:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T13:59:08","slug":"decline-indus-civilization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/decline-indus-civilization\/","title":{"rendered":"Decline of Indus Civilization: Theories &#038; Causes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Indus Civilization, one of the earliest urban cultures in South Asia, reached its peak <\/span><b>around 2500\u20131900\u202fBCE<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with well-planned cities, advanced drainage systems, and flourishing trade networks. However, starting aroun<\/span><b>d 1900\u202fBCE<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this remarkable civilization began to weaken gradually. Over the next few centuries, many major urban centers were abandoned, and populations shifted to smaller rural settlements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/courses\/ugc-net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Enroll UGC NET Foundation Course<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Decline of Indus Civilization<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Indus Civilization, also known as <\/span><b>Harappan Civilization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, grew along the Indus and Ghaggar\u2011Hakra regions and stood as one of the first great urban societies in the ancient world.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite its achievements, the system that sustained cities began to falter during the <\/span><b>Late Harappan phase (c.\u202f1900\u20131300\u202fBCE)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as agriculture, water supply, trade, and civic life became unstable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students should understand that the decline was <\/span><b>not sudden<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but a prolonged process with multiple causes rather than one clear event.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Timeline of Peak and Decline<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding the timeline helps place the fall into historical context:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Early\/Pre\u2011Harappan Phase:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> c.\u202f3300\u20132600\u202fBCE \u2013 formation of farming villages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mature Harappan Phase:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> c.\u202f2600\u20131900\u202fBCE \u2013 urban peak with planned cities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Late Harappan Phase:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> c.\u202f1900\u20131300\u202fBCE \u2013 gradual decline and rural shift.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shift from large urban life to scattered rural communities marked the <\/span><b>Decline of Indus Civilization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in both archaeology and culture.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Led to the Decline?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scholars have proposed several interlinked factors for the <\/span><b>Decline of Indus Civilization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These factors combined to weaken urban life and cause communities to disperse over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Environmental and Climate Changes<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmental change played a major role in weakening Harappan cities:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Shifting Monsoons and Drought:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Decreased rain and prolonged drought made farming less productive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rivers Drying or Changing Course:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The drying up of the Ghaggar\u2011Hakra (linked with Sarasvati) and changes in the Indus river path reduced water availability for agriculture and daily needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flooding in Some Areas:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Episodes of flooding deposited silt, damaging city infrastructure and forcing relocations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Climate change gradually made core regions less fertile and stable, contributing heavily to urban breakdown.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"3\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Read More Notes On Archaeological Sources UGC NET<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/meaning-of-historical-sources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meaning of Historical Sources<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/archaeological-sources-for-ugc-net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Archaeological Sources for UGC NET<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/exploration-in-archaeology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exploration in Archaeology<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/excavation-techniques-in-archaeology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excavation Techniques in Archaeology<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/epigraphy-study-of-inscriptions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Epigraphy: Study of Inscriptions<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/inscriptions-in-reconstructing-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inscriptions in Reconstructing History<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/numismatics-in-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numismatics in History<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/importance-of-coins-in-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Importance of Coins in History<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/dating-of-archaeological-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dating of Archaeological Sites<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/dating-ancient-literary-sources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dating Ancient Literary Sources for UGC NET<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/literary-sources-in-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Literary Sources in History for UGC NET<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/foreign-accounts-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foreign Accounts of India for UGC NET<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/greek-accounts-on-ancient-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greek Accounts on Ancient India<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/secular-literature-as-historical-source\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secular Literature as Historical Source<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/role-of-myths-and-legends-in-historical-reconstruction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Role of Myths and Legends in Historical Reconstruction<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/greek-accounts-on-ancient-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greek Accounts on Ancient India (Repeat Link)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/chinese-accounts-on-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chinese Accounts on India<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/ugc-net\/arabic-accounts-on-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arabic Accounts on India<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Decline of the Indus Civilization Economic Breakdown\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the Indus Civilization began to decline around 1900\u202fBCE, its economic systems faced significant stress. Both trade and agriculture, the twin pillars of the urban economy, started weakening due to environmental and social pressures. Understanding this economic breakdown gives a clear picture of why once-thriving cities gradually lost their vitality.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Long-Distance Trade Declines<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trade had been a cornerstone of the Harappan economy. Cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Lothal were connected to distant regions, including Mesopotamia, through rivers and the Arabian Sea. Goods such as beads, cotton textiles, pottery, and metals moved along these routes.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the late second millennium\u202fBCE, these trade networks slowed considerably.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fewer goods were exchanged, which weakened the economic links between urban centers and their trading partners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local markets and craft industries that depended on the movement of goods began to shrink. For example, bead-making workshops saw reduced demand, and potters struggled to find buyers beyond their city.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without active trade, cities lost part of their economic backbone, making it difficult to sustain urban populations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Agricultural and Resource Stress<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agriculture had always supported dense urban populations, but environmental pressures began affecting productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Soil Degradation and Resource Depletion<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overuse of wood for brick-making, fuel, and metalwork led to widespread deforestation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deforestation caused soil erosion, reducing the fertility of farmland and making crop cultivation more difficult.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Declining crop yields meant less surplus food, which had previously acted as a safety buffer during shortages.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result, the farming system could no longer sustain large populations. Families that had relied on regular harvests had to relocate to smaller rural settlements where food was easier to grow and manage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Interconnection of Trade and Agriculture<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The decline of trade and agriculture were closely linked. Reduced trade meant that cities could not import essential materials or export surplus goods.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0At the same time, lower agricultural productivity forced populations to abandon urban centers, further weakening both the economy and social cohesion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In short, the economic breakdown of the Indus Civilization was gradual but severe.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trade networks collapsed, craft production slowed, and environmental pressures made farming less reliable. These combined factors caused urban centers to lose their economic strength, prompting migration and contributing to the civilization\u2019s overall decline.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/courses\/ugc-net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Enroll UGC NET Foundation Batch Online<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Social and Political Factors in the Decline of the Indus Civilization<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The decline of the Indus Civilization was not only driven by environmental and economic challenges but also by social and political dynamics. Unlike some contemporary empires, the Harappan system shows little evidence of a strong centralised state or powerful military leaders.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Decentralised Political Structure<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cities were likely governed by councils or local elites rather than a single ruler.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This decentralised setup made it difficult to coordinate responses to large-scale crises such as floods, droughts, or trade disruptions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without strong central authority, organizing large-scale relief or infrastructure repairs may have been challenging, weakening urban resilience.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Social Change and Community Cohesion<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Economic stress and environmental pressures likely led to shifts in social organization.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Craft specialization, labor divisions, and urban planning depended on coordinated social structures. As these systems faltered, community cohesion may have reduced.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Families and groups may have prioritized survival over urban civic responsibilities, further accelerating the decline of city life.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/ugc-net-coaching-in-jaipur\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Best UGC NET Offline Classes in Jaipur<\/b><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><b>Migration and Settlement Shifts<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As challenges grew, many Harappan people moved to areas with more favorable conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eastern Migration:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Populations moved toward the Ganges plains, where rainfall and fertile land offered more reliable agriculture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Southern and Central Migration:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Some groups moved toward Gujarat and Central India, where water and land were still suitable for farming and settlement.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These migration patterns show that people adapted to changing circumstances by relocating, which led to the gradual depopulation of major urban centers while smaller rural communities continued to survive.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Signs of Decline in Harappan Cities<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Archaeological evidence from sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Dholavira shows clear indicators of urban decline during the late phase of the Indus Civilization. These changes reflect how once-thriving cities gradually lost their organization, economic vitality, and social structure.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>Smaller and Less Organized Housing<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excavations reveal that the large, well-planned houses of earlier periods were replaced by smaller, simpler structures. The uniformity and sophistication of urban architecture declined, indicating reduced resources and a shift away from coordinated city planning.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>Neglect of Drainage Systems<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The advanced drainage networks, which had once reflected remarkable civic planning, began to fall into disrepair. Covered drains were left uncovered, and waste management became inconsistent, suggesting a decline in communal maintenance and urban governance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>Decline in Trade Artifacts<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Later archaeological layers show fewer seals, standardized weights, and trade-related objects. This indicates a reduction in commercial activity, both internal and external, weakening the economic backbone that had supported urban life for centuries.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>Material Signs of Social Change<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, these material changes, smaller houses, neglected infrastructure, and fewer trade artifacts\u00a0 suggest that Harappan society was moving away from its mature urban phase. Populations were shrinking, and many people relocated to rural areas, marking a transition from complex city life to smaller, dispersed settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Major Factors Behind Decline of Indus Civilization<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This table shows the integrated nature of the decline, with multiple stresses contributing to urban breakdown.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Cause<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Explanation<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Impact<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Climate Change<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakened monsoons and drought<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Food shortages decreased urban growth<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">River Shifts<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drying rivers and course changes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disrupted irrigation and trade routes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trade Decline<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced international and internal trade<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Economic stagnation<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resource Degradation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deforestation and soil erosion<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced agricultural productivity<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social Adjustment<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of strong central authority<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited crisis response<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Legacy Harappan Decline<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Decline of Indus Civilization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> did not erase its cultural contributions. Many techniques in town planning, craft, farming and water management influenced later groups in the region.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some traditions continued in subsequent societies across the Indian subcontinent, even if the urban core faded.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Decline of Indus Civilization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was a <\/span><b>long and multi\u2011faceted process<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shaped by environmental changes, economic stresses, and social shifts. There is no single cause that fully explains the end of Harappan urban life; instead, a combination of factors led people to disperse and reorganise their societies over centuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/ugc-net-coaching-in-jaipur\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Top UGC NET Coaching in Jaipur<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Decline of Indus Civilization FAQs<\/b><\/h2>\n<style>#sp-ea-23458 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 300ms;}#sp-ea-23458{ position: relative; }#sp-ea-23458 .ea-card{ opacity: 0;}#eap-preloader-23458{ position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; height: 100%;width: 100%; text-align: center;display: flex; align-items: center;justify-content: center;}#sp-ea-23458.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-23458.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-23458.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-23458.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-23458.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon { float: left; color: #444;font-size: 16px;}<\/style><div id=\"sp_easy_accordion-1775735067\">\n<div id=\"sp-ea-23458\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ea-active=\"ea-click\" data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"1\" data-scroll-active-item=\"1\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\">\n\n\t<div id=\"eap-preloader-23458\" class=\"accordion-preloader\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrfadda.com\/exams\/wp-content\/plugins\/easy-accordion-free\/public\/assets\/ea_loader.svg\" alt=\"Loader image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card ea-expand sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\">\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-234580\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse234580\" aria-controls=\"collapse234580\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-minus\"><\/i> What was the main reason for the Decline of Indus Civilization?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse collapsed show\" id=\"collapse234580\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-23458\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-234580\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many scholars point to climate change, especially weakened monsoon rains and drying rivers, as major reasons for urban decline.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\">\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-234581\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse234581\" aria-controls=\"collapse234581\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> When did the decline of Indus Civilization begin?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse234581\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-23458\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-234581\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The decline is dated around 1900\u202fBCE, with cities becoming less occupied by 1300\u202fBCE.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\">\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-234582\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse234582\" aria-controls=\"collapse234582\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Did invasion cause the decline?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse234582\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-23458\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-234582\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Earlier invasion theories are now not widely supported; evidence for violent conquest is limited.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\">\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-234583\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse234583\" aria-controls=\"collapse234583\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> How did trade affect the fall of Harappan cities?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse234583\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-23458\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-234583\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reduced trade with regions like Mesopotamia weakened the urban economy and craft production.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\">\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-234584\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse234584\" aria-controls=\"collapse234584\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Why did people migrate from Indus cities?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse234584\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-23458\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-234584\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Environmental pressures and weakened agriculture pushed people towards eastern and southern regions with better conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\">\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-234585\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse234585\" aria-controls=\"collapse234585\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Did water sources dry up during decline?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse234585\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-23458\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-234585\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yes, rivers like the Ghaggar\u2011Hakra dried up or changed course, affecting farming and settlements.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\">\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-234586\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse234586\" aria-controls=\"collapse234586\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> What did Late Harappan settlements look like?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse234586\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-23458\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-234586\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They shifted towards smaller rural villages with less urban planning and more basic housing.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<!-- Start accordion card div. -->\n<div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\">\n\t<!-- Start accordion header. -->\n\t<h3 class=\"ea-header\">\n\t\t<!-- Add anchor tag for header. -->\n\t\t<a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-234587\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse234587\" aria-controls=\"collapse234587\" href=\"#\"  aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> How does the study of Indus decline help students?\t\t<\/a> <!-- Close anchor tag for header. -->\n\t<\/h3>\t<!-- Close header tag. -->\n\t<!-- Start collapsible content div. -->\n\t<div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse234587\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-23458\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-234587\">  <!-- Content div. -->\n\t\t<div class=\"ea-body\">\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It shows how environmental, economic, and social factors combine to shape history, useful for <\/span><b>UGC NET<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and competitive exams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- Close content div. -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- Close collapse div. -->\n<\/div> <!-- Close card div. -->\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{ \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{ \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What was the main reason for the Decline of Indus Civilization?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Many scholars point to climate change, especially weakened monsoon rains and drying rivers, as major reasons for urban decline.\" } },{ \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"When did the decline of Indus Civilization begin?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The decline is dated around 1900\u202fBCE, with cities becoming less occupied by 1300\u202fBCE.\" } },{ \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Did invasion cause the decline?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Earlier invasion theories are now not widely supported; 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However, starting around 1900\u202fBCE, this remarkable civilization began to weaken gradually. 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