Test : Culture And Decline Of IVC - UPSC MCQ

• Causes for the Decline Aryan Invasion
• There are many theories regarding the decline of IVC. Some of them conflict and contradict each other
• Change in the rainfall patterns: Around 2000 BC serious flooding in plains and cities
• Over utilisation of resources
• Ecological degradation: Decreasing fertility of the soil due to excessive exploitation
• Earthquakes and drying of rivers due to tectonic shifting
• Natural calamities like recurring floods
• Aryan Invasion as they had superior weapons as well as swift horses

One of the discoveries (30 skeletons in the upper level of the site) made at Mohenjo-daro in the 1920s support the hypothesis that Aryan invaders destroyed the Harappa civilization. Dead bodies were found at Great bath which suggests that war had taken place between IVC and Aryans.

In Rangpur, which is not far from Lothal, it is noticed that the mature Harappa culture degenerated and transformed itself later into other cultures. Please remember this fact as it is.

• The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1800 BCE, and scholars’ debate which factors resulted in the civilization’s demise. One theory suggested that a nomadic, Indo-European tribe called the Aryans invaded and conquered the Indus Valley Civilization, though more recent evidence tends to contradict this claim. Many scholars believe that the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization was caused by climate change. Some experts believe the drying of the Saraswati River, which began around 1900 BCE, was the main cause for climate change, while others conclude that a great flood struck the area.
• Various elements of the Indus Civilization are found in later cultures, suggesting the civilization did not disappear suddenly due to an invasion. Many scholars argue that changes in river patterns caused the large civilization to break up into smaller communities called late Harappan cultures.

A well-known piece of art of the Harappan period is a stone sculpture of a bearded man discovered at Mohenjodaro. His eyes are half closed indicating a posture of meditation. Across the left shoulder is an embroidered cloak. In the opinion of some scholars, it could be a bust of a priest.

• Statement 1 is correct - A dog buried with human oval pit burials was discovered in Ropar, Punjab.
• Statement 2 is incorrect - The placing of the body in a foetal position is the hallmark of the early phase of IVC.
• Statement 3 is correct - In Kashmir’s Burzahom site, separate burial pits for dogs were discovered.

The most famous terracotta sculpture is that of the Mother Goddess found from MohenjoDaro. It is very detailed showing a punched nose, artistic ornamentation over the body and a fanned headgear.

• Statement 1 is correct - A technique known as “Lost Wax Technique” or “cire-perdue” was used for this purpose.
• Statement 2 is incorrect - She sports a necklace and her hair is tied into a bun. She is standing in the “tribhanga” dance posture.
• Statement 3 is correct - Besides the figurine, bronze figures of a buffalo and a humped bull were also found.

Pashupati Seal depicts a figure seated cross-legged in a yogic posture with a horned headdress. The figure is surrounded by an elephant & a tiger are there on the right side of the figure while a rhinoceros and buffalo are seen on the left side, two antelopes/deer are shown below the seat of the figure. It is believed to be a representation of Proto Shiva.

The dancing girl statue is made from Bronze made in lost-wax casting.