Geographical Entity of the Vedic Saraswati River in Relation to the Harappan Settlements in Northwest India

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Virgil Dorsey
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Int. Seminar `The Indus-Sarasvati (Harappan) Civilization

Delhi Geographical Entity of the Vedic Saraswati River in Relation

1 Int. Seminar `The Indus-Sarasvati (Harappan) Civilization vis-à-vis The Rigveda Organized by: Draupadi Dream Trust, New Delhi Geographical Entity of the Vedic Saraswati River in Relation to the Harappan Settlements in Northwest India Dr. B. K. Bhadra Scientist/Engr.`SF Regional Remote Sensing Centre West NRSC/ISRO, Department of Space, Govt. of India CAZRI Campus, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 27 March, 2015

Saraswati, as described in the Rigveda ambitame nadi tame devitame Sarasvati aprasasta iva smasi prasastimamba

Best of mothers, best of rivers, best of Goddesses, Saraswati, we are ignorant and untrained, give us wisdom and

Saraswati is regarded as the holiest and mightiest river of Vedic Period (8000-5000 BP) aa yatsaakam yashaso

2 Saraswati, as described in the Rigveda ambitame nadi tame devitame Sarasvati aprasasta iva smasi prasastimamba naskridhi (2:41:16) i.e. Best of mothers, best of rivers, best of Goddesses, Saraswati, we are ignorant and untrained, give us wisdom and knowledge. Saraswati is regarded as the holiest and mightiest river of Vedic Period ( BP) aa yatsaakam yashaso vaavashaanah Sarasvati saptathi sindhumaataa yaah susvayanta sudughaah sudhaa raa abhiswena payasaa pipyaanaah (7:36:6) May the glorious seventh (stream) Saraswati, the mother of Sindhu and other (rivers) charged with copious volume of water, flow vigorously; come together, gifting abundant food and milk.

3 Saraswati River in Other Literatures Saraswati in Yajurveda (34:11) (1803): pancanadhyah Sarasvatimapi yanti sasrotasah Sarasvati tu pancadhaa so deshe abhavat sarit The five equally celebrated rivers, merged with the mighty Saraswati. Sraswati has five important tributaries viz. Drishadvati, Satudri (Sutlej), Chandrabagha (Chenab), Vipasa (Vyas) and Iravati (Ravi). All these rivers merges to Saraswati to meet Sindhu Sagar (the Arabian Sea). Saraswati in Atharvaveda (6:30:10): devaa imam madhunaam sanyutam yavam sarasvatyaa madhi manaavacarkriyuh aasit sirapatih shatakratuh kinasha aasan marutah sudaanavah God bestowed the people on the bank of the Saraswati, with sweet juicy barley, where generous Maruts became farmers & Indra as the Lord of agriculture. This Mantra suggests that farming of cereals was practiced on the fertile soil of Saraswati during Vedic times. Saraswati in Manusmriti (3.17): Saraswati drisadvatvor devanadhyory dantaram Tam deva nirmitam desham brahmavart pracakshate The land between the Saraswati and Drishadvati is created by God; this land is defined as Brahmavarta. Saraswati in Mahabharata: The Saraswati River continued to be a celebrated river during the Mahabharata time also. It was referred as mother of the Vedas. Vedanam mataram pusya (Mbh. Santiparva 12920) Mahabharata gives clear geographical accounts of a number of pilgrimage sites spread along the course of the Saraswati River. Sri Balaram s pilgrimage, along the upsteam course of the Saraswati from Samudra Samgam to Plaska prasaravana give a vivid description of most of these holy places. Balaram after visiting a number of holy places reaches to Vinasana, the place where the Saraswati disappeared. During Mahabharata period, the discharge of water in Saraswati became extremely low. As a result, the river vanished in the desert sand at certain place along its regular course i.e. at Vinasana. Hence, the river channel appeared dry. However, underground flow of water continued to exist in the river bed.

4 Geographical Identity of River Saraswati Saraswati River originated in the Himalayas and flowed between Indus and Ganges through Punjab, Haryana, western Rajasthan and Gujarat. It finally drained into Arabian Sea. It is believed that River Saraswati still flows below the desert sand and its Himalayan connectivity is still alive. Palaeo-drainage systems in NW India have been a topic of research for many decades as remnants of Saraswati River are present even today. Himalayan Rivers of NW India 1. Indus River It originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu in Tibetan region at an altitude of 4164m in Kailash Mountain Range. 2. Sutlej River It originates from Rakas Lake at an altitude of 4555m in Tibet and is connected with Man Sarovar Lake by a stream. 3. Ganga River - It originates at Gangotri glacier near Gomukh in Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 3,900m in the central highlands. 4. Yamuna River - It rises at Yamunotri Glacier at an altitude of 6316m on Bandarpunch range and enters the Ganga plain. Saraswati River was fed by melt from Himalayan glaciers, after the receding of the last ice age during 10,000 BP.

5 DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN NW INDIA Pakistan HP The Lost `Saraswati River System between Indus and Ganges River System Punjab Haryana UK Tibet Rajasthan UP Gujarat India Madhya Pradesh

6 Satellite Image showing Three Distinct Drainage Systems in NW India Indus River System Ganges River System Luni River System Chandigarh Adi Badri Hisar Delhi Jodhpur Jaipur Luni R. Allahabad Rann of Kutch Ahmedabad

7 Remote Sensing Techniques Used for Delineating Palaeochannels Palaeochannels are basically the old course of river channels which appears on the satellite image as serpentine drainage course with high moisture content (dark tone). Piece-wise Histogram Stretching technique has been used to enhance the palaeochannel signatures on the image. The feature enhancement is carried out by way of loading sub-scenes of 1k x 1k size on computer terminal in full resolution and improving the feature contrast by histogram stretching interactively. This technique has been found unique in enhancing palaeochannel details in the sandy as well as alluvial and vegetated areas. These palaeochannels also have been validated through collateral ground data such as geomorphic anomalies, drilling data (litholog) of tube wells, hydrological parameters (discharge and groundwater quality), age of ground water, archaeological data and published old maps.

8 Course of Saraswati in Rajasthan

9 IRS WiFS FCC of Part of Saraswati River Basin Ghaggar R. I.G.Canal Jaisalmer

11 Banawali Ganweriwala Mohenjo-daro Jaisalmer Jodhpur Palaeo Drainage Map of The Indian Desert Region using IRS P3 WiFS Satellite Image Rann Dholavira Surkotada

12 Simplified Courses

13 Ground Validation of Palaeochanels Through Drilling data: 14 wells drilled by CGWB & GWD. Potable quality water found along the Palaeo Channels Occurrence of Gravel & coarse grained sand reported Channels occur at m depth Palaeo Geomorphic features - Corn Cob structure Archaeological data Ground Water Quality & age data Palaeo Maps British and Mughal Period

14 DRILLING SITES ALONG THE PALAEOCHANNELS IN RAJASTHAN GWD (8) CGWB (16) Total=24 wells

16 FIELD PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE GROUND REALITY Extensive Desert Sands with Dunes in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan (March, 2008) Tube well drilled on Saraswati Palaeochannel at Tanot (Border area) in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan during

17 Ages of groundwater samples from Jaisalmer district (Analysed by BARC) Sample ID Location Well Type Age Uncorrected (Before Past) D1 Dharmikua DW 1900 M T1 Kishengarh TW 6190 M D3 Kuriaberi DW D4 Nathurakua DW 3000 M T2 Ghantiyali TW D5 Ghantiyali DW T3 Ranau TW T7 Ghotaru I TW D12 Ghotaru-II DW 3860 M D17 Dost Md.Kua DW Model Age, a (Pearson)-BP Age of Saraswati ground water ~ 1340 to BP

18 Course of Vedic Saraswati in Haryana

19 MAJOR DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN NORTHERN HARYANA

20 3-D View of Adi Badri Area by SRTM DEM & Landsat ETM image Lesser Himalaya Siwalik Hills Adi Badri Bata R AMBALA DISTRICT YAMUNANAGAR DISTRICT

Sutlej Palaeochanel IRS P6 LISS-III IMAGE WITH

Kurukshetra Yamunanagar Sirsa Kaithal Karnal

21 Sutlej Palaeochanel IRS P6 LISS-III IMAGE WITH DELINEATED PALAEOCHANNELS IN HARYANA Sirsa HIMACHAL PRADESH Hisar N Panchkula Palaeochannels District Boundary PUNJAB Ambala Kurukshetra Yamunanagar Sirsa Kaithal Karnal Fatehbad Jind Panipat UTTAR PRADESH Hisar Sonipat RAJASTHAN Bjiwani Rohtak

22 Course of Vedic Saraswati in Punjab

Sutlej Palaeochannels along Ropar-Sirhind-Rajpura section (N-S) Sutlej

on Sutlej PC Optical (IRS P6) and SAR (Radarsat) images showing the

23 Sutlej Palaeochannels along Ropar-Sirhind-Rajpura section (N-S) Sutlej Palaeochannel IRS P6 LISS-III image (Feb.,2004) Radarsat SAR image (Dec.,2000) Palaeo channels (PC) Archaeological sites Archaeological sites on Sutlej PC Optical (IRS P6) and SAR (Radarsat) images showing the delineated Sutlej palaeochannels between Ropar and Shatrana in Punjab. Note a large number of archaeological sites lie along the palaeochannels.

24 MAJOR RIVERS AND PALAEOCHANNELS IN PUNJAB Sutlej R. Sutlej Palaeochannel

25 Course of Vedic Saraswati in Gujarat

26 Satellite Image showing the Saraswati palaeo-drainage network (blue lines) in Rann of Kachchh area, Gujarat

27 Saraswati Delta Structure at Rann of Kachchh (Gujarat) Digital image processing of IRS-P6 AWiFS and Radarsat SAR images reveals deltaic drainage pattern (Bird s Foot type) which is made up of complex intertwined channels. The delta structure was formed in the past by huge sediment discharge of Saraswati River within marshy land of Great Rann of Kachchh. These palaeochannels can be traced upto the Gulf of Kachchh which might have a link to the submerged Dwarka of Mahabharata times.

28 SARASWATI CONFLUENCE AT DWARKA Dwarka was the capital of the Yadavas which is mentioned in Indian epic Mahabharata. It is believed that Lord Krishna has founded this town by reclaiming 12 yojana land from the Sea at about 3,600 years ago. Mahabharata describes that Balaram travelled along the dry banks of Saraswati River from Dwaraka to Mathura. It is possible that Saraswati River might have continued beyond Little Rann upto Dwarka along the Gulf of Kachchh. Archaeological excavation revealed the existence of Harappan settlements in Dwarka as well as port city of Lothal. Rise in sea level caused submergence of Dwarka in 3443 BP.

29 Integrated Study of Vedic Saraswati in NW India

30 Palaeochannel Network in NW India Perennial Source of Sutlej River Rakas Lake Mansarovar Lake Perennial Source of Yamuna-Tons River Yamunotri Bandarpunch

31 Simplified map of Vedic Saraswati River from Mansarovar to Dwaraka Saraswati River System (8000 to 5000 BP) Present Day River System Kuru kshetra Bandar punch Man Sarovar Delhi Jaisalmer Jodhpur Allahabad Rann of Kutch Arabian Sea Bet Dwarka

32 Geographical Distribution of Archaeological Settlements of Indus-Saraswati Civilisation

33 Satellite Image showing the Archaeological Sites of Indus-Saraswati Civilization Present Day Rivers Archaeological Sites Sutlej R. Man Sarovar Delhi Jodhpur Allahabad Dwarka

34 Distribution of Archaeological Sites between the Indus and the Ganges Rivers Present Day Rivers Archaeological Sites PUNJAB Sutlej R. HP Man Sarovar PAKISTAN UK HARYANA Delhi R A J A S T H A N UP Jodhpur Allahabad Dwarka GUJARAT MADHYA PRADESH

35 Satellite Image showing Archaeological Sites and Saraswati Palaeochannels Present Day Rivers Palaeochannels Archaeological Sites Sutlej R. Man Sarovar Delhi Jodhpur Allahabad Dwarka

36 Spatial Relationship of the Harappan Settlements and Saraswati Palaeochannels Sutlej R. Man Sarovar Delhi Jodhpur Allahabad Dwarka

37 Simplified Course of Saraswati River and the Associated Archaeological Sites Sutlej R. Man Sarovar Delhi Jodhpur Allahabad Dwarka

38 Geographical Distribution of Archaeological Settlements of Indus-Saraswati Civilisation in Pakistan

39 Archaeological Sites in Pakistan along Indus and Saraswati Rivers

40 Mature Harappan Settlements in Pakistan along Indus & Saraswati Rivers Mature Harappan

41 Other Harappan

42 Geographical Distribution of Archaeological Settlements of Indus-Saraswati Civilisation in Haryana

Sutlej PC Archaeological Sites and the Palaeochannels in Northern Haryana Mature to Late Harappan Sites ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES Post Harappan (3500 BP to Medieval) Late Harappan (3900-3300 BP)

43 Sutlej PC Archaeological Sites and the Palaeochannels in Northern Haryana Mature to Late Harappan Sites ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES Post Harappan (3500 BP to Medieval) Late Harappan ( BP) Mature Harappan ( BP) Sothi Harappan (~Mature Harappan) Ambala Kuru Yamuna nagar Sirsa Kaithal Fatehbad Jind Karnal Hisar Panipat Sonipat Palaeochannels/ Present day drainages Bhiwani Rohtak

44 Mature Harappan Settlements along the Saraswati Palaeochannels in Haryana Mature Harappan

45 Sothi Harappan Settlements in Haryana along the Saraswati Palaeochannels Sothi Harappan

46 Late Harappan Settlements along the Saraswati Palaeochannels in Haryana Late Harappan

47 Post Harappan Settlements along the Saraswati Palaeochannels in Haryana Post Harappan

49 Geographical Distribution of Archaeological Settlements of Indus-Saraswati Civilisation in Punjab

50 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, MAJOR RIVERS AND PALAEOCHANNELS IN PUNJAB

51 Mature Harappan Settlements along the Saraswati Palaeochannels in Punjab Mature Harappan

52 Post Harappan Settlements along the Saraswati Palaeochannels in Punjab Post Harappan

54 Geographical Distribution of Archaeological Settlements of Indus-Saraswati Civilisation in Rajasthan

55 IRS WiFS image showing Harappan Sites along Ghaggar River in Ganganagar and Hanumangarh Districts of Rajasthan

56 Mature Harappan Settlements along the Saraswati Palaeochannels in Rajasthan Mature Harappan

57 Post Harappan Settlements along the Saraswati Palaeochannels in Rajasthan Post Harappan

59 Geographical Distribution of Archaeological Settlements of Indus-Saraswati Civilisation in Gujarat

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES WITH PALAEOCHANNELS IN NORTHERN GUJARAT Tharad Great Rann of Lakhpat Kachchh Dholavira Palanpur Pachham Island Khadir Island Bela Patan Mehsana Bhuj Little

60 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES WITH PALAEOCHANNELS IN NORTHERN GUJARAT Tharad Great Rann of Lakhpat Kachchh Dholavira Palanpur Pachham Island Khadir Island Bela Patan Mehsana Bhuj Little Rann ARABIAN SEA Ahmedabad Legend Bet Dwarka Pre-Harappan Dwarka Mature Harappan Jamnagar Rajkot Surendranagar Post-Harappan Present Drainage Palaeochannel Extension of Palaeochannel

61 Mature Harappan Settlements and the Saraswati Palaeochannels in Gujarat Mature Harappan

62 Late Sorath Harappan Settlements and the Saraswati Palaeochannels in Gujarat Late Sorath Harappan

64 Archaeological sites of Indus- Saraswati Civilisation (till 2005)

65 CONCLUSIONS The entire course of Vedic Saraswati River has been delineated using latest satellite images and validated with archaeological, drilling and hydrogeological data. Present day perennial sources of Sutlej and Yamuna/Tons rivers have been considered as part of Vedic Saraswati River. Close association of archaeological sites and the palaeochannels indicate existence of Vedic Saraswati River during 8000 to 5000 years ago. Spatial distribution of Harappan settlements shows the growth of Indus- Saraswati valley civilization during Vedic period. The population has migrated towards NE direction with the desiccation of Saraswati River in Thar Desert area during 3792 years BP. Radiometric ages of river sediments suggests that the age of Saraswati River (older palaeochannels) may be as old as 28,000 years. However, it was flourished during 8000 to 5000 years ago (younger palaeochannels). Age of trapped groundwater in the palaeochannels in Rajasthan shows contemporary age of Saraswati ( BP) and as old as 18800BP.

66 RESTORE THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE COUNTRY

Vedic Saraswati River Network in the Late Quaternary Period from Mansarovar to Dwaraka: Perceived through Satellite Remote Sensing

Int. Seminar `Determining Cultural Continuity since Vedic and Epic Eras Organised by: I-Serve, New Delhi Vedic Saraswati River Network in the Late Quaternary Period from Mansarovar to Dwaraka: Perceived