What are the potential causes & effects of climate change on the decline of the Indus River Valley Civilization?

Question

(Note: You need to include one cause and three effects in your answer.)

Answer 1

The decline of the Indus River Valley Civilization, which thrived around 2500 BCE, has been linked to various factors, including climate change. Here’s one potential cause and three significant effects:

Cause:

• Climate Change: Changes in climate, particularly shifts toward drier conditions, likely played a crucial role in the decline of the Indus River Valley Civilization. Evidence suggests that the region experienced significant monsoonal fluctuations, with potential reductions in rainfall leading to prolonged droughts. This change would have altered the hydrology of the Indus River and its tributaries, impacting the availability of water and agricultural productivity.

Effects:

1. Decline in Agricultural Productivity: As the climate became drier, crop yields would have diminished. The Indus Valley Civilization was heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly wheat and barley. Reduced agricultural output would have led to food shortages, undermining the population's ability to sustain itself and leading to malnutrition and famine.

2. Urban Decline and Population Displacement: The decline in food resources would likely have resulted in the migration of people from urban centers to more fertile areas in search of sustenance. The population decline could have led to the abandonment of major cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, contributing to the eventual collapse of urban life and infrastructure.

3. Social and Political Instability: As resources became scarce, competition for remaining arable land and water would have intensified, leading to social unrest. Discontent among different groups could have resulted in conflict, weakening political structures and contributing to the civilization's fragmentation. This social upheaval would have further accelerated the decline as established governance systems became ineffective in managing crises.

In summary, climate change was a significant underlying factor that influenced the socio-economic conditions of the Indus River Valley Civilization, ultimately leading to its decline through reduced agricultural productivity, population displacement, and social instability.