Author: Josy Joseph
Publication: Organiser
Date: September 9, 2007
Marine archaeologists may finally be able to put an end to speculations regarding
Lord Krishna's submerged city of Dwarka off Gujarat coast, and provide a scientific
history of the fascinating underwater landscape.
A team of marine archaeologists and navy divers
have collected credible samples from the submerged regions of the mythological
town where Lord Krishna is believed to have settled down after leaving Mathura.
Without scientifically qualifying the purported
mythology behind the Dwarka story, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and
Indian Navy (IN), which collaborated on the survey and sample collection,
said: "For the first time, we have lifted samples from the structures
under water."
They would be sent to several laboratories
in India and abroad for carbon dating to assess their age. The tests would
put to rest all speculations, officials said. Dr Alok Tripathi, Superintendent
Archaeologist of the Underwater Archaeology Division of the ASI said the underwater
structures have been known for the past 40 years. "So we don't claim
discovery", but the samples taken would provide path-breaking data and
insight into the unknown past of the city.
The area off Samudranarayana temple at Dwarka
is known to contain submerged structures which have been widely reported and
interpreted by renowned scholars.
"Keeping the need of scientific study
of submerged remains and material evidence to interpret and date these structures,
ASI and IN carried out a joint excavation at Dwarka," a navy statement
said.
A team of naval divers and ASI personnel explored
a 200 x 200 metres area in the initial phase and then zeroed in on a 50 x
50 metres area for cleaning up and sample collection.
The remains of the so-called Dwarka city,
off Samudranarayana temple in Gujarat, are scattered in about an area of two
kilometres by four kilometres.
Findings of the survey would be presented
at a seminar in Delhi soon.