After phase-2 the climate reversals are distinct and of shorter (centennial) duration. For example, in Phase-3 (2.2–1.4 ka) improved ISM is inferred; Phase-4 (1.4–1.0 ka) is marked by a sharp decline in the ISM, and Phase-5 (<1.0 ka) includes centennial-scale events of Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and the onset of Little Ice Age (LIA). The relative increase (decrease) in the concentration of geochemical and magnetic proxies is indicative of strengthened (weakened) ISM where relatively drier phases are in sync with the North Atlantic climate perturbations. We observed clustering of optically dated flood events around 6.5, 4.5, 2.6, 1.4, 0.8, and 0.4 ka which corresponds to periods of moderate ISM thus, suggesting a coupling between warm-humid monsoon and relatively dry westerlies. The relatively higher concentration of micro-charcoal in the lake sediments indicates widespread forest fires around 5.9–5.3, 4.5–4.3, 3.4–3.0, 2.0–1.5 and ∼1 ka. Given the archaeological evidence of sedentary settlements since ∼3 ka in the upper Ganga catchment, the study speculatively argues anthropogenic forcing for forest fires after 3 ka. Further, the highest probability flood phases succeed the fire events and may be indicative of enhanced vulnerability of the catchment to floods due to vegetation loss (enhanced erosion and surface runoff). Download from: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1fiCQ-4PS2Fve