Discuss the emergence and geographical expansion of harappan civilization. Explain the various theories associated with the decline of harappan civilization. 500 words
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As of present, there are three ways of approach :
1. Indus people were killed by "Aryans"
This theory was put forward in 20th century, when scholars were biased by racist and colonialist ideas.
Under the Nazi works, the Aryan word obtained from Vedas was pathetically misused to represent a "master race", with blonde features of which Germans were ideal. This was targeted to drive away poor Jews. In India, the British soon used the opportunity to justify themselves as a "second Aryan mission".
Scholars imposed their prejudices on the complex Vedic mantras, and created several instances of Blonde Aryans in horses defeating and killing black Indus dwellers. The theory got a great applause from different areas, even as late as 1950s.
The most notable person supporting Aryan invasion theory was Mortimer Wheeler, who even said that "Indra (Rig Vedic supreme God) stands accused" for deaths at IVC, which he inferred by seeing the human bones...
2. Indus changes its course and epidemics start
This approach was not horrible as first, this hypothesis says that Indus changed its course, flooding many parts while drying many parts.
This made ports like Lothal non functional, and killed many. The survivors were put to death by famine and epidemics that spread. Eventually, the civilization ended...
3. A combination of 1 and 2
This is at present used widely, with the correction that Aryans (now better called Indo European people)
MIGRATED to Indus valley.
The emerging alternative
The hypotheses 1 and 2 are usually cited in favour of
Aryan invasion theory or Aryan migration theory. But, by second half of 20th century, Hindus were fed up of the offensive theories, and interesting developments occurred. Vedas began to be interpreted with less prejudices, and archaeological and genetic studies began to be considered.
This theory has many variants; the most popular being :
Indus changed its course, Sarasvati river dried up all causing the IVC people to abandon the sites, and settle along Ganga valley. There is NO appreciable genetic discontinuity, and newer studies find overlaps in Cemetery H. Culture, Ganga pottery, etc; by which archaeological discontinuity is lessened. The poorer nature of post harappan settlement is attributed to the sudden shift to inland ganga valley.
Continuity is also explained by the similarity in Harappan standard measures and those listed in Kautilya's Arthasastra.
The question, however shall be fully answered only after rigid supports for one and rigid negation of other arguments; though argument 1 is neglected now.
Hope I have answered...
:)
1. Indus people were killed by "Aryans"
This theory was put forward in 20th century, when scholars were biased by racist and colonialist ideas.
Under the Nazi works, the Aryan word obtained from Vedas was pathetically misused to represent a "master race", with blonde features of which Germans were ideal. This was targeted to drive away poor Jews. In India, the British soon used the opportunity to justify themselves as a "second Aryan mission".
Scholars imposed their prejudices on the complex Vedic mantras, and created several instances of Blonde Aryans in horses defeating and killing black Indus dwellers. The theory got a great applause from different areas, even as late as 1950s.
The most notable person supporting Aryan invasion theory was Mortimer Wheeler, who even said that "Indra (Rig Vedic supreme God) stands accused" for deaths at IVC, which he inferred by seeing the human bones...
2. Indus changes its course and epidemics start
This approach was not horrible as first, this hypothesis says that Indus changed its course, flooding many parts while drying many parts.
This made ports like Lothal non functional, and killed many. The survivors were put to death by famine and epidemics that spread. Eventually, the civilization ended...
3. A combination of 1 and 2
This is at present used widely, with the correction that Aryans (now better called Indo European people)
MIGRATED to Indus valley.
The emerging alternative
The hypotheses 1 and 2 are usually cited in favour of
Aryan invasion theory or Aryan migration theory. But, by second half of 20th century, Hindus were fed up of the offensive theories, and interesting developments occurred. Vedas began to be interpreted with less prejudices, and archaeological and genetic studies began to be considered.
This theory has many variants; the most popular being :
Indus changed its course, Sarasvati river dried up all causing the IVC people to abandon the sites, and settle along Ganga valley. There is NO appreciable genetic discontinuity, and newer studies find overlaps in Cemetery H. Culture, Ganga pottery, etc; by which archaeological discontinuity is lessened. The poorer nature of post harappan settlement is attributed to the sudden shift to inland ganga valley.
Continuity is also explained by the similarity in Harappan standard measures and those listed in Kautilya's Arthasastra.
The question, however shall be fully answered only after rigid supports for one and rigid negation of other arguments; though argument 1 is neglected now.
Hope I have answered...
:)
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