Relevance: GS-1 (Ancient History – IVC) • Source: Indian Express, IIT Gandhinagar
New Research
Recent climate studies by IIT Gandhinagar suggest that prolonged droughts and weakening monsoon cycles around 2000–1900 BCE may have significantly contributed to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC).
Analysis of lake sediments, isotopes, and archaeological layers points to a long-term drying phase that reduced agricultural productivity and forced population movement.
Major Theories of IVC Decline
| Theory | Supporting Evidence | Counter-Evidence / Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Climate change & drought | Weakening of Indian Summer Monsoon; drying of Ghaggar–Hakra; decline in farming settlements. | Urban centres did not collapse suddenly; some continued in altered forms. |
| River shifts (Sutlej–Yamuna dynamics) | Geological studies show river migration reducing water availability. | Some sites thrived despite river changes. |
| Economic decline | Reduction in long-distance trade with Mesopotamia; decline in craft specialisation. | Trade decline may have been the outcome, not the cause. |
| Invasion/Migration (Aryan theory — outdated) | Early 20th-century speculation. | No archaeological evidence of large-scale violence or destruction. |
| Disease hypothesis | Limited skeletal indicators of stress. | Not enough evidence to show widespread epidemic. |
About IVC
The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also known as the Harappan Civilization, was a Bronze Age urban culture in the northwestern regions of South Asia, existing from approximately 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. Alongside Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, it was one of the world’s earliest civilisations and the most widespread in geographical range.
Other Unresolved Mysteries of the IVC
- Undeciphered script despite thousands of seals.
- Unknown political structure – absence of palaces or kings.
- Urban planning origins – advanced drainage, grid layout still unmatched.
- Sudden dispersal pattern – ruralisation without warfare.
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Q. Which of the following factors is strongly supported by recent scientific evidence as contributing to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
1. Weakening monsoons
2. Repeated drought cycles
3. Large-scale invasions
Select the correct answer:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
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