"Unraveling the Secrets of Mohenjo-Daro: A Tale of Ancient Wisdom, Complacency, and Conquest"

Stephen, fresh from his Pakistan trip, joined us for breakfast at the Tolly Club after our golf round. Over steaming cups of coffee, he began to spin a yarn.

"You know, I stood amidst the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro, and I couldn't help but wonder... what if?" Stephen started.

Sikka, the evergreen golf influencer, raised an eyebrow. "What if what, Stephen?"

Stephen leaned in. "What if the people of Mohenjo-Daro had become too complacent, too used to their abundant natural wealth?"

"The Lull Before the Storm"

Sishu and Megh stood before Chet, the chief of security, in the sprawling city of Mohenjo-Daro.

"Today's water report, Chet," Sishu began. "The underground tanks are full, and the rains have been plentiful."

Megh nodded. "We've stored enough for the dry season. Our engineers have done an excellent job."

Chet smiled. "Well done, gentlemen. Your diligence keeps our city thriving."

Nearby, a group of philosophers and priests engaged in a heated debate.

"Brothers, I tell you, the universe was created by the Great Architect, Brahma!" exclaimed Priest Vedic.

"Nonsense!" countered Philosopher Arya. "The universe has always existed, with no beginning or end."

Priest Vedic shook his head. "But who created the stars, the sun, and the moon? Surely, it was the gods."

Arya smirked. "Perhaps the comets bring people from heaven, as some claim."

Sishu chuckled. "Those philosophers and their endless discussions."

Megh grinned. "Keeps them occupied, I suppose."

Chet's expression turned serious. "I've received reports of strange, attired people lurking about. But I'm sure it's nothing."

Sishu raised an eyebrow. "Strangers? That's unusual."

Chet waved his hand. "We've never faced an invasion. Why worry?"

Priest Vedic approached the group. "Gentlemen, have you noticed the changing seasons? The sun god, Surya, blesses us with life-giving rains."

Philosopher Arya nodded. "Yes, but what drives the seasons? Is it Surya's chariot or the earth's own rhythms?"

Sishu smiled. "Perhaps it's both."

As they conversed, a group of astronomers appeared, studying the night sky.

"Look! A comet!" one exclaimed. "A sign from the heavens!"

Priest Vedic's eyes widened. "A messenger from the gods! We must interpret its meaning."

Arya scoffed. "Superstition! The comet's just a celestial body, a harbinger of change."

The debate continued, with no resolution in sight.

Sikka interrupted Stephen's narrative. "Stephen, what about their clothing? Were ladies wearing dresses made of bark or was cotton yarn already around in 3000 BC?"

Stephen smiled. "Actually, Sikka, the Indus Valley Civilization was known for its advanced textile industry. They wore clothes made from cotton, which was cultivated in the region. The women wore elegant saris, and the men wore tunics and loincloths."

"In fact," Stephen continued, "excavations at Mohenjo-Daro have uncovered evidence of sophisticated dyeing techniques and intricate embroidery. Their clothing was quite advanced for the time."

"The Flood"

Weeks passed, and the rains intensified. One fateful night, the skies unleashed a torrent. The rivers swelled, and the city's defenses were breached. Water inundated the grainery, destroying the harvest.

Sishu and Megh rushed to assess the damage. "Chet, the grainery's gone! Our food stores are ruined!"

Chet's face fell. "This is disastrous. We must act quickly."

"The Invasion"

Before they could respond, a dust cloud appeared on the horizon. Horsemen, clad in foreign armor, charged toward the city.

Megh's eyes widened. "Horses? I've never seen such beasts!"

Sishu's voice trembled. "And those men... they're not from around here."

Chet's face paled. "Sound the alarm! We're under attack!"

The city, unprepared and complacent, crumbled before the invaders.

"Aftermath"

Archaeologists would later speculate that the decline of Mohenjo-Daro was due to a combination of factors, including:

"...climate change, drought, and possibly invasions by nomadic tribes from the western regions." (Gregory Possehl, Archaeologist)

"...the city's water management system, once its strength, may have been compromised by siltation and flooding." (Robin Coningham, Archaeologist)

As Stephen concluded his tale, our breakfast group sat in contemplative silence.

Sikka broke the silence. "Quite a yarn !"