Digest Number 2163

[Guest guest]

LEGEND OF DWARAKA

Krishna- the protector of Mathura, the lord of Dwaraka and the reciter of

the Bhagwad Gita on the battlefield of Kurukshetra-is one of the most

enduring legends of India. But was he also a mortal, historical figure? Two

books look at connections between the ancient texts and archaeology

 

By T.R. Gopaalakrushnan

 

 

 

 

After killing Kamsa, Krishna and his brother Balarama placed Ugrasena on the

throne and remained in Mathura. This greatly angered Kamsa's father-in-law

Jarasandha, the emperor of Magadha. He repeatedly attacked Mathura to avenge

Kamsa's death. Although Krishna and his small Yadava army were able to

defeat Jarasandha's hordes every time, it was an unequal contest in which

superior numbers were bound to tell in the long run. So Krishna led the

Yadavas to the west coast. They built the fortified town of Dwaraka on the

site of the ancient Kushastali, which became Krishna's seat for the rest of

his eventful life. Dwaraka was submerged in the sea 36 years after the

Mahabharata War. Forewarned, Krishna had persuaded the Yadavas to move to

higher ground in Prabhas (near modern Somnath). Shortly thereafter, the

Yadavas, or at least their leaders, destroyed themselves. Krishna himself

died a few days later, killed by a hunter's arrow.

 

Does this bare-bones out- line of the colourful story of Krishna have a

true, historical core? Are Krishna and Dwar-aka actual historical entities?

For a majority of Indians, the answer is an unequivocal yes. Some

archaeologists and historians too are now willing to accept that the common

man's faith does have a basis in fact.

 

RECREATING A PAST THAT WAS CONSIDERED A MYTH: A scale model of coastline and

township of Dwaraka displayed in the Birla Science Museum in Hyderabad;

(above) The main temple at Dwaraka

 

The strongest archaeological support comes from the structures discovered

under the sea-bed off the coast of Dwaraka in Gujarat by the pioneering team

led by Dr S.R. Rao, one of India's most respected archaelogists. An emeritus

scientist at the marine archaeology unit of the National Institute of

Oceanography, Rao has excavated a large number of Harappan sites including

the port city of Lothal in Gujarat. In his book The Lost City of Dwaraka

(Aditya Prakashan, Rs 1500), published in 1999 he writes about his undersea

finds: "The discovery is an important landmark in the history of India. It

has set to rest the doubts expressed by historians about the historicity of

Mahabharata and the very existence of Dwaraka city. It has greatly narrowed

the gap in Indian history by establishing the continuity of the Indian

civilisation from the Vedic Age to the present day."

 

But not all are convinced. Some point to 'contradictions' in his findings

and lack of other corroboration. Others believe that the entire story of

Krishna as written in the Mahabharata is pure mythology, and any claims of

archaeological evidence must necessarily be incorrect. As historian R.S.

Sharma has written in his history textbook for class X students: "Although

Lord Krishna plays an important role in the Mahabharata, the earliest

inscriptions and sculpture pieces found in Mathura between 200 BC and 300 AD

do not attest his presence." (The BJP has attempted to have these lines

deleted from the textbook.)

[Guest guest]

> do not attest his presence." (The BJP has attempted to have these

lines

> deleted from the textbook.)

 

 

like it matters??? laughs Krishna, sucking his toe

on a leaf

in my heart

 

 

 

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