DECODING DWARKA - USING SONAR AND LIDAR TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

Dwarka, a coastal city in present day Gujarat, holds a unique place in Indian history and mythology as the legendary city of Lord Krishna, believed to have submerged into the sea after his departure. Over the years, underwater explorations along the Dwarka coast have revealed stone structures, anchors, and harbour-like remains, sparking long standing debates about the city’s historical existence and the causes of its submersion. This paper examines existing archaeological and geological evidence related to Dwarka and evaluates the potential of modern sensing technologies, particularly LiDAR, RADAR, SONAR, and sub-bottom profiling to improve our understanding of the submerged site.

By analysing published underwater survey data and previous archaeological investigations, this research paper explores whether the submerged structures near Dwarka represent a lost urban settlement or a port structure. We also explore how non-invasive technologies such as multibeam sonar, CHIRP and sparker sub-bottom profilers, and AI-assisted spatial analysis can be used to map submerged structures more accurately and assess their depth, extent, and construction patterns. These technological approaches provide a framework for estimating a plausible submersion timeline while minimising disturbance to the marine environment.

The findings suggest that while mythological descriptions of Dwarka cannot be interpreted literally, archaeological evidence supports the existence of a significant maritime centre that likely underwent gradual submergence due to a combination of coastal erosion, sea level changes, and geological processes. This research highlights the importance of integrating technological innovation with archaeological interpretation and how interdisciplinary methods can contribute to a more balanced and evidence based understanding of submerged cultural heritage sites like Dwarka.