How did the urban planning, economic, agricultural, and social aspects of the Indus Valley Civilization reflect its advanced nature, and what factors contributed to its decline?(GS1)(12 MARKS)
The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), thriving between 3300 and 1300 BCE in present-day Pakistan and northwestern India, was a Bronze Age civilization known for its urban sophistication, advanced agriculture, and cultural achievements.
Advanced Nature
Urban Planning: Cities followed grid systems with advanced drainage, sanitation, and public amenities like baths and granaries.
Economic: A standardized weight and measure system supported extensive trade of materials like stone, metal, and lapis lazuli.
Agriculture: The civilization cultivated wheat, barley, and cotton, using bullocks for plowing and advanced irrigation.
Social Structure: A complex hierarchy with specialized labor, writing, and skilled craftsmanship in bronze, copper, textiles, and pottery.
Decline
Natural Disasters: Floods, river shifts, and soil degradation disrupted agriculture and trade.
Invasion Theory: Some scholars suggest an Aryan invasion, indicated by skeletal remains and fort destruction at Mohenjodaro.
Internal Weakness: Resource overuse, breakdown of centralized authority, and possible drought gradually weakened the civilization.
Conclusion
The IVC’s achievements in urban planning, agriculture, and social organization highlight its advanced nature. Its decline is attributed to natural disasters, invasions, and internal challenges. Despite this, the legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization continues to captivate historians.
