When Nature Changes the Course of Civilisation: Could a Natural Catastrophe Have Transformed the Harappan Civilisation?
When Nature Changes the Course of Civilisation: Could a Natural Catastrophe Have Transformed the Harappan Civilisation? Author:Rupesh Ranjan Civilisations are often remembered through their monuments, cities and achievements. But archaeology also tells another story—the story of how great urban societies changed, fragmented and sometimes disappeared from history. The recent disasters witnessed in Nepal remind us of a fundamental truth: human civilisation, however sophisticated, remains deeply dependent on nature. Earthquakes, floods, droughts, river shifts, landslides and climatic changes can transform landscapes within a remarkably short period. A modern city may possess advanced engineering, communication systems and emergency services, yet a powerful natural catastrophe can still disrupt everyday life. This raises an intriguing historical question: Could natural catastrophes have played a major role in the decline and transformation of the Harappan Civilisation? The answer is ...