Ananya Sen During a recent class discussion, the name Dwarka sparked a sudden fire in my imagination. For a moment, the sterile walls of the lecture hall seemed to fade away, replaced by the salt-tinged air of the Arabian Sea. I found myself mentally walking through the legendary streets of a golden city, a place described in ancient texts as a marvel of architecture and divine engineering. However, as a Mass Communication student a question soon followed : Is this a magnificent reality, or is it merely a comforting myth designed to give us a sense of belonging? For many of us, being told that our history-the stories we grew up with-might be nothing more than a “fairy tale” comes as a profound shock. It can feel like being told your own ancestors never existed. But when we examine the archaeological facts, we realize that “myth” is often just history that has been hidden beneath the waves, waiting for the right moment to be rediscovered. For decades, dedicated scientists and specialized divers from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) have scoured the seabed off the coast of Gujarat, searching for traces of this lost civilization. In the 1980s, a major breakthrough occurred that changed our understanding of Indian history forever. An archaeological team led by the renowned Dr. S.R. Rao discovered a massive, submerged city wall. These were not natural rock formations shaped by the tide; they were colossal, man-made stone blocks laid with precision. The scale of the find was staggering. Divers recovered hundreds of stone anchors, specifically shaped like triangles and grips, which suggest that Dwarka was once a bustling, international ancient port. Furthermore, researchers unearthed pieces of pottery and copper coins from the seabed dating back thousands of years. These artifacts serve as physical proof that people were living, cooking, trading, and thriving exactly where our grandparents say the city of Lord Krishna once stood. Scientific data further supports these findings by examining the Earth’s geological past. Studies show that sea levels in the Arabian Sea rose significantly between 3,500 and 9,000 years ago. This geological timeline aligns perfectly with the ancient stories of a city being “swallowed by the ocean.” It is astonishing to realize that the oral traditions passed down by our grandparents are not just bedtime stories; they are eyewitness accounts encoded in verse. These facts bridge the gap between our imagination and our reality, proving that our ancestors were incredibly advanced, building urban centers that could withstand the elements for centuries before the rising tides finally reclaimed them. As students and as humans, discovering these “unseen truths” instills a deep sense of pride and personal dignity. We learn that our roots are not shallow or easily broken; they are deep, resilient, and strong. Dwarka serves as a powerful reminder that even when time, nature, or human doubt conspire to hide the truth, it never truly disappears. It sits patiently at the bottom of the ocean, waiting for us to be curious enough and brave enough to seek it out. So, the next time you hear someone dismiss Dwarka as a mere myth, remember the silent, stubborn stones resting under the blue water. There lies a city that once breathed, lived, and laughed-just like we do today. It is a testament to the fact that even if we feel “submerged” by our current struggles, our true value remains intact. Our history is not lost; it is simply waiting for us to dive a little deeper to find.
