Download The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1800 BCE

The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1800 BCE, as climate
change forced the residents eastward into smaller communities.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE [ edit ]
Discuss the causes for the disappearance of the Indus Valley Civilization
KEY POINTS [ edit ]
One theory suggests that a nomadic, Indo­European tribe called the Aryans suddenly
overwhelmed and conquered the Indus Valley Civilization.
However, many scholars now believe that the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization was caused
by climate change as the monsoons migrated eastward.
As the eastward shift of the monsoons reduce the water supply, the Indus Valley Civilization
residents may have migrated east to establish smaller villages and isolated farms.
These small communities could not produce the large­scale agricultural surpluses needed to
support cities, and the cities were abandoned.
TERMS [ edit ]
Aryans
a nomadic, Indo­European tribe called the Aryans suddenly overwhelmed and conquered the
Indus Valley Civilization
monsoon
seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation; usually winds that bring heavy rain
once a year.
Give us feedback on this content: FULL TEXT [ edit ]
The Indus Valley Civilization began to decline around 1800 BCE. There are several theories
to explain the disappearance of the Indus Valley Civilization, including the Aryan Invasion
and climate change.
The ruins of ancient houses in the city of Lothal
Archaeological evidence shows that the site, which had been a major city before the downfall of the
Indus Valley Civilizations, continued to be inhabited by a much smaller population after the collapse of
the Indus Valley Civilization from 1800­1500 BCE. The few people who remained in Lothal did not
reconstruct and repair their city, but lived in poorly­ built houses and reed huts instead.
The Aryan Invasion Theory (ca. 1800 ­ 1500 BC)
One theory suggests that a nomadic, Indo­European tribe called the Aryans suddenly
overwhelmed and conquered the Indus Valley Civilization. Using horses and more advanced
weapons against the peaceful Indus Valley people, the Aryans may have easily defeated the
native peoples of northern India. However, many elements of the Indus Civilization are
found in later cultures, suggesting the civilization did not disappear suddenly.
The Climate Change Theory (ca. 1800 ­ 1500 BC)
Today, many scholars now believe that the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization was
caused by climate change as the monsoons migrated eastward. The monsoons supported
agricultural surpluses, which in turn supported the development of cities in the Indus River
Valley. Because the residents relied on seasonal monsoons rather than irrigation, the water
supply dried up as the monsoons shifted eastward. The Indus Valley Civilization residents
may have migrated towards the Ganges basin in the east, where they established smaller
villages and isolated farms. These communities could not produce the same agricultural
surpluses to support large cities. With the reduced production of goods, there was a decline
in trade with Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Natural disasters, such as droughts, deforestation, floods, and changes in the course of the
Indus River may have also contributed to the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Around 1800 BCE, the Indus valley climate grew cooler and drier and a tectonic event may
have diverted the Ghaggar Hakra river system toward the Ganges Plain. Excavations in the
Ganges Plain show that settlement began around 1200 BCE. By around 1700 BCE, most of
the Indus Valley Civilization cities had been abandoned.