Prof. S.R.Rao, the renowned archeologist conducted 12 search campaigns beneath the sea to search and reveal latent facts of ancient Dwarka during 1983 to 1990. His book titled ‘The Lost City of Dwarka’, released in 1999 created a hue and generated tremendous interest. Dr. Rao and his team with the help of modern techniques and underwater cameras have found out ancient Dwarka. They have found two large structures on the seabed, one of which is near Bet Dwarka. Remains of a well-organized town have been found in the sea only half a kilometer away from the shore. The remains are in six parts containing places, stone–molds for making weapons, instruments as well as iron-made weapons, etc.
The Mahabharata talks of ‘VaariDurg’ – a fort to stop water. Archeologists have discovered the presence of such a fort. A seal is found which significantly has pictures of goat and bullock, etc. An ancient book ‘HarivanshPurana’ talks of a seal possessed by every citizen of Dwarka as a mark of identity. No outsider is allowed to enter without that seal. The Mahabharata talks of seven islands in the area. The satellite pictures of the topography of Okhamandal area testify the presence of such geographical islands. Evidences of an ancient time’s harbour are also found.
Anchors weighing up to 560 kilograms are found which were in vogue way back in 1500 B.C. in Syria and Cyprus. The remains also include two large titled stones used to launch a boat, (techniques came in practice in 900 A.D.) certain pillars of the temple and copper utensils are found.
The utensils found from churning of sea near Dwarka carry inscription in Vedic Sanskrit. They are testified to be 3528 years old. Prof. Rao says since the sea near Bet Dwarka is muddy, going deep is not possible. Another two to five meterdepth might give evidences of Dwarka set up by Lord Krishna himself, says Prof. Rao. The present Dwarka is the seventh edition, all others are deep sunk in the sea. This is why perhaps Bet Dwarka has an old temple of ‘Matsyavtar’ (fish-incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.
Dwarka’s remains too date back to those of the Harappan era found from Dholavira, Sur Kotada, Lothal. Prof. Rao concludes from his evidences that Krishna’s Dwarka existed since year 1700 B.C. at the far end of the Harappan era. That means the earlier conclusion about Krishna dating back to 3100 years B.C. during Vedic era before 5000 years doesn’t hold ground. That means we have to believe that Lord Krishna existed on Indian land only before 3500 years.