SARASWATI-SINDHU CIVILISATION

SARASWATI-SINDHU CIVILISATION
- Bageshwar jha
Despite excavation of the first recorded history of Indian sub-continent in 1920 by Sir John Marshall, we are still in dark about the role of the river Saraswati and hence still today  call it ‘ Indus Valley Civilisation, as preferred by that Englishman. This ambiguity is there for two reasons – political and lack of adequate research.

River Ghaggar, known as Saraswati near Panchkula, Hariyana
POLITICAL:
The Leftist historians believe that this civilization sprang up on the banks of the Indus in the Bronze Age, which was eliminated by the Aryan invaders in 2,500 BC who came from Central Asia. Simultaneously, there is another school of historians christened as Rightists, who flatly discard this invasion theory and hold the view that the Aryans are the natives of the land.
Since the Indian Government for a long time remained under the leftist influence, the invasion theory gained currency and found place in the school and college text- books. No serious effort was made for further concerted archaeological excavations to unravel the truth. The Indus, thus remained associated with this civilization till much later. However, laden with convincing evidences, the Rightist Indian history clan pushed to rename it as the Harappan Settlements. Even the National Museum acknowledged this argument and named the related part of its display as the Harappan Gallery. But still under pressure from the opposite camp, that is not treated as the last word. In this backdrop, several neutral historians feel that these confusions could be wiped out if it could be proved that the Saraswati was not only a living river but also played its role as the cradle of the first recorded civilization of the Indian sub-continent.
  Origin of Saraswati near Badrinath, Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Every Hindu knows that their one of the most sacred pilgrimages, known as Triveni at Prayag is the confluence (Sangam ) of the three rivers, namely, the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati of which, the last is not visible (antahsalila). Why it is so, will be discussed later. Here it is important to note that the Leftists treat it as a myth and flatly dispose of the fact that in reality, during Harappan and vedic period, there was a mighty river, named as Saraswati. This clever section understands that once the Saraswati is accepted as a reality, their invasion theory will automatically collapse.
VEDIC EVIDENCES:
As discussed above, undoubtedly the Saraswati is a Vedic river. Except one or two, in almost all the mandals (books) of the Rigved, the name of this great sacrosant river occurs. The Nadistuti hymn of the Rigved clearly mentions that the Saraswati was located between the Yamuna in the east and the Sutlej in the west. The Rigvedic Aryans revered the river so deeply that they called it, “ambitame (mother), naditame (river) and devitame (goddess) Saraswati”. This makes it clear that the name had some other meanings as well including mother and the goddess of wisdom(Saraswati) besides the river. Thus Saraswati, the goddess of learning can be treated as one of the oldest deities of the Aryans. Often she is shown with a symbolic river in the background which is quite significant.

 Veenavadini Saraswati
The subsequent Sanskrit literary compositions, namely, Brahmnas, Puranas, Upanishdas etc also contain references to the Saraswati. Later on, for the first time, the Mahabharata mentioned it as a dry river.The Mahabharata hs an interesting comment. It says that on the banks of this the Saraswati were the settlements of the Abhiras and Shudras. Due to their mutual deep differences, the river went underground (Shudrabhir ganaishchaiva ye chashritya saraswatim- II.29.9 and Shudrabhiran prati dweshad yatra nashta saraswati-  IX.37.1). This bolsters the contention that dry or flowing, the people in Dwapar Yuga knew Saraswati as a river. History records extraordinary geological changes due to huge outbursts of natural forces. As a result, the level of water in oceans went up and several islands and hills disappeared due to submersion. Similarly, when the water level went down, new geographical entities appeared. Rivers changed their course. Only recently, after an ambitious excavation to locate the Ayodhya of Treta, the archaeologists came to the conclusion that due to the repeated and severe changes in the course of the Saryu river, the location of the original capital of Ram could not be determined. The same is the saga of the invisible Saraswati. The huge literary evidences cannot be brushed under the carpet to prove that the Saraswati river is a myth.

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCES:
Of late, science has come to the rescue of the Rightist historians by validating the Rigvedic references about the existence of Saraswati as a mighty river when this great Sanskrit work was under compilation. For the first time in 1970, the NASA admitted that its satellite imagery had supported the existence of Saraswati as an underground river course now. It further clarified that the river is still alive at some 50’ – 60’ below the earth surface. Accordingly experimental excavations started in some states like Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat falling on the Saraswati course which further strengthened the contention about existence of the present invisible (Antahsalila) Saraswati. Strangely enough, waters from these places confirmed to belong to a single source and they also tasted alike. It may be emphasized here that in the said states, at places there are small lakes and ditches, full of clean water, honoured as the sacred Saraswati by the locals. The water of these lakes is pure like the Ganga water.
 
      Sattelite image of the Saraswati river
“The latest studies, whose findings were recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, too are clear on the river’s existence and its role in sustaining the ancient civilization. The report said that the Saraswati was ‘not Himalayan, fed by a perennial monsoon supported water course. It added that the rivers in the region (including Saraswati) were indeed sizeable and highly active”
“The Union Water Resources Ministry had then quoted in writing the conclusion of a study jointly conducted by scientists of indian Space Research Organisation, jodhpur and the Rajasthan Government’s Ground Water Department, published in the Journal of Indian Society of Remote Sensing. Besides other things, the authors had said that “clear signals of paleo-channels on the satellite imagery in the form of a strong and powerful continuous drainage system in the North- west region and occurrence of archaeological sites of pre-Harappan and post-Harappan age, beyond doubt indicate the existence of a mighty paleo-drainage system of Vedic Saraswati river in this region.
ORIGIN OF SARASWATI:
At different places the origin of the river is mentioned differently. The main, however, are two – Kailash-Mansarovar in Tibet and Har-ki-Dun in Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Upliftment of the Arawalis forced Saraswati to go westward.  The Saraswati river could be traced through palaeo-channels as a migratory river. Its initial course flowed close to the Aravali ranges and the successive six stages took west and north-westerly shifts till it coincides with the dry bed of the Ghaggar. Due to this, even today, many people treat the Ghaggar as the old Saraswati. Originating from  Har-ki-Dun. The river comes to the plain at Aadi Badri, located some 60 km from Jagdhari. Then it goes westward through Shivalik ranges and falls in the Arabian Sea, known as Sapta-Sindhu near Prabhash Patan (Somnath). Some also believe it meeting the sea at Kutch. Some 5,000 years ago, when the river was flowing, from the origin to the falling in the sea, its course was 1,6oo km long and the width varied from 3 to 16 km.
According to the Geological Society of India, some 4,000 years ago, plate tectonics changed the course of Saraswati. As a result at Paonta Saheb in Himachal Pradesh, the Yamuna caught the water of Saraswati and flowing eastward joined the Ganga at Prayag This supports the mythological account that Balram changed the course of Yamuna with his plough. On the other hand the Sutlej took a 90 degree turn at Ropar and going westward, joined the Indus. This Sutlej and Ghaggar, are told to represent the Saraswati. Another survey had mentioned that around 1900 BC, due to changes in the underground rock structures, the Yamuna got a lion’s share of the Saraswati water, moved to east whereas the Sutlej also got some Saraswati water and moving west joined the Indus. The poor Saraswati, after losing these two important tributaries, became thin and disappeared in the Thar desert. Dr. R.S. Bisht, former Director, ASI who launched the excavations at Dholavira in 2001, is of a strong view that the Saraswati was a reality.
ONE NEW EVIDENCE:

Water source found at Mughalwali


As a matter of fact in 2002 itself, the NDA Govt. at the Centre decided to dig out the hidden Saraswati from Adibadri to Sirsa in Haryana but the idea did not click on ground. Of late, a normal digging under the MNREGA project brought a chance find of a water source at Mughalwali village in Yamunanagar district of Haryana. The Haryana Govt. has accepted it as the part of the Saraswati. The place has become a religio-tourist destination where visitors from far-flung areas flock as pilgrims. From that point a channel of 5 km long has also been found. Encouraged by this solid lead, the Centre, Haryana Govt. and the RSS backed Saraswati Nadi Shodh Sansthan have joined hands to make the river a reality. The Narendra Modi Govt. has gone a step further by announcing to open Saraswati River Institute at Mughalwali.
 
    Saraswati at Bhim Pool, Badrinath
Historical claim of Saraswati: By now, some 3,000 sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation have been dug out in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Out of them only 600 are located on the banks of the Indus. The rest are scattered over other areas of these states. It is remarkable to point out here that out of the remaining 2,400 sites about 2,000  have been traced on the banks of the Saraswati. If we give any credence to the Saraswati-related Rigvedic hymns, this river then used to be a mighty stream, allowing the people to develop their first recoded civilization on its banks. Thus, despite being invisible at present, it has every right to be related with that great civilasation. The Indus alone cannot steal the lime light. So if a section of scholars is hesitant to replace Indus with Saraswati, the said civilization, under a compromise formula can safely be renamed as the Saraswati- Sindhu Civilisation.
As discussed above, the Saraswati, in its course of some 1,600 km length, often remaining underground, is overground at several places. They are known as lakes, bearing religious sacrosance. Quite interestingly, the excavational activities have propelled the people also to probe the economic aspect of this hidden river. At several places the people have started digging up canals for irrigational purposes. Thus while the flowing Saraswati allowed the civilization to flourish on its bountiful banks, the underground river is today ready to play an equally creative role by irrigating the huge tracts of barren lands and turning them into greenery. In this changed scenario, the Saraswati, not only will be known for its role in rearing a civilization, but also feeding the present population suffering from lack of water.


References:
⦁ The Lost Saraswati and the Indus Civilisation, S.P. Gupta (ed),1999
⦁ The Saraswati Flows on the Continuity of Indus Culture, B.B.Lal, 2002, Delhi
⦁ Rajesh Singh’s article, named The Saraswati Civilisation in the Pioneer, Delhi edition, June 6,2012
⦁ Internet
⦁ The Ancient Indus Valley: New Perspectives, jane Mcintosh
⦁ Saraswati The River That Disappeared, K.S. Naldiya, 2002, H’bad
⦁ Seema Chisti in The Sunday Indian Express Magazine, July 12,2015, New Delhi edition.
 

 

   

POST-MORTEM OF ELECTORAL LOSS IN BIHAR

                  The loss suffered by the BJP in the last assembly poll has given a new turn not only to Bihar but also the national politics. The BJP leadership feels so much crest- fallen that the internal bickerings have ensued. The four senior citizens of the party, namely, L.K. Adwani, M.M. Joshi, Yashwant Sinha and Shanta Kumar are demanding that the responsibility for this defeat should be fixed. Thaey charge that the party has weakened in last one year. As a matter of fact they do not acknowledge that agewise they are down the hill and should stand away from  active field work. Overestimating themselves, they thought that no election campaign would succeed without their involvement. So was the high expectation of Bihari Babu also. When the present leadership ignored them, they were frustrated and wanted the party to lose, which really happened and now they are exploiting the situation.

In this background, it may be recalled that in the light of 'India shining', the Atal Govt prematurely went to election, seeking a bigger mandate. The said seniors then were at the helm of affairs. The party lost. Then there was no hullabaloo for fixing the responsibility. In the following general election, the BJP projected Adwani as its prospective PM candidate and the Congress once again swept the poll. Did he fix the responsibility? Then the explanation was given that it was the collective responsibility of the party. Today Ram Madhav is openly saying that earlier we won less and lost more. After half a dozen of victories, the party had only two losses in Delhi and Bihar. We understand that despite an intensive and laborious electioneering by Modi and Amit Shah the success deceived because Mohan Bhagwat's dangerous statement on reservation had already done an irreparable loss to the NDA. But these four elders have no courage to challenge the RSS Sarsanghchalak.

An important information is making rounds in the political circle, indicating that the surrender of awards, charges of intolerance, communalism and dictatorship, just before the Bihar elections, were created under an international conspiracy. They say that Pakistan, Saudi Arab and USA engaged a PR on a heavy cost to propagate India as an intolerant country so that its chances of getting entry into the UNSC were impeded. Secondly, most of the involved awarded literateurs have their NGOs drawing funds from outside. The Modi Govt. conducted a quick enquiryand  nailed their mischief. Quoting the FERA laws, a ban was imposed on foreign money. Thus these peiole are feeling restless and intending to defame and dethrone Modi Govt at any cost. As a matter of fact these internal developments are known to the PMO which awaits the right moment to burst the baloon.

The Samajwadi Party is not taking Mulayam and Akhilesh to gallows for defeat in Bihar. Awaisi stands unscathed. What about Mayavati, Pappu Yadav and Tariq Anwar? All are hale and hearty. Then why alone the BJP foursome is nourishing a last ditch gameplan?

The people of the country, who have the taste of democratic practices, should read between the lines when such tendentious propagandist kites are flown. If they feel that the Modi dispensation is really delivering, they should not only ignore the critics but ask to shut up and show them the exit gate. Modi must be taken to task if he has failed to take the country in right direction. 

A SILENT INDIAN LEADER

In a democracy, rulers are elected by the people and hence the politicians need to be endowed with persuasive oratory. So, in the race to win over the electorate, they are so loud that the ones who really believe in performance, are either unheard or ignored. The most glaring example in India is our present NSA incumbent Ajit Doval. An unassuming retired IPS officer, Doval, like a true karmyogi believes only in work and no bragging. Even while in police service including the Central Intelligence Bureau, he had a breath- taking track record. As such, they who know him closely are not surprised over the saga of his recent successes.
While still in intelligence outfits, he stayed under cover in Pakistan for several years without any hint to the locals about his intentions. When he returned after the completion of his mission and the story was leaked, Pakistan felt crestfallen. As such, when he was tipped to become the NSA, there was an utter restlessness across the borders. Pakistan knows that like Osama bin Laden, Doval may also target our most wanted suspects like Dawood, Lakhvi  and Hafiz and hence his security was intensified.
The recently concluded Naga Peace Accord was the result of Doval’s tiring efforts. As a matter of fact he is also known for his in-depth knowledge of North-East affairs. When recently several people were butchered in Assam by extremists, led by Doval, Indian commandos secretly in darkness landed in deep forests on Indo-Myanmar borders and eliminated these hiding elements. Knowing that India now means business of paying the culprints in the same coin, such mischief mongers are hesitant to venture out now.
We know how Chhota Rajan has been underground in foreign countries for last over twenty years. Since Doval came on the scene, the don was accurately followed, Interpol at his request issued Red Corner Notice and a close liaison was maintained with the countries where he was hiding and as result, he was nabbed by the Indonesian police at Bali. Rajan will be brought to India any day now. Since he has many secret leads about Dawood, the latter in Pakistan is badly perturbed over his own security.
It may be added here that on the initiatives of Doval one more success has been achieved. A Thai national and gunrunner Wuthikorn Naruenartwanich aias Willy Naru, accused of being a middleman of Chinese arms meant for Naga insurgents has been arrested and the local judiciary has given a verdict that he may be extradited to India. Thus securing Naru’s custody would be a significant breakthrough for the NIA.
Though he does not deliver self-praising loud and long speeches, but his image of a matter of fact man has disturbed the countries nourishing anti-India designs. After the Ufa conference when the NSAs of India and Pakistan were to meet at New Delhi for bilateral talks, Pak authorities could realise that their NSA, Sartaj Aziz was no match for his Indian counterpart. So they declared to include in the agenda matters beyond the agreed brief. As a result of that the talk failed.
Thus one after another, Doval has been successfully cracking knotty problems. The country hopes that with his wisdom and commitments the people here can rest peacefully.  

POLL-EVE CACOPHONY

 Never before in the electoral history of India, the campaigning was so abusive and in higher decibel as seen in the yet incomplete Bihar Assembly election. Why was it so? Is it a trend being set for future? Many would confide that the electioneering was unprecedently intense and bitter because of the huge stakse involved.
One may like to know these stakes. Are they related to property ? Not at all. The major stake is the Possibly political future of the stake holders. In this connection the first politician is Lalu Prasad Yadav. A convict of the fodder scam and now out on bail, he understands that his personal electoral fuutre is doomed particularly if the Supreme Court sets aside his review appeal. In that case he will again land in jail. Since his present stature is due to politics, he would like to groom his scions to take over. He never had any faith in any other senior RJD leader when he resigned as the CM and passed on the mantle to his illiterate wife. Now, his two sons and one daughter are in the political arena. Without giving good education to his sons, he was in a haste to immediately baptise them politically. The daughter had contested the last parliamentary election and lost to Ram Kripal Yadav, a close Lalu follower. At present in UP while half a dozen of Mulayam’s relatives are in state and centralegislatures, Lalu has none. As a matter of fact, Lalu has no residence in Delhi. So he his both sons are in fray today. If any wins in case of Grand Alliance victory, he is bound to be the deputy chief minister. It is in this backdrop that Lalu is in a do or die position.
On the other hand, ever since Nitish Kumar broke the alliance with the BJP, his all decisions have been letting him down. After this parting of ways his entire concentration has been no saving his minority government even at the cost of befriending his bitter bete noire, Lalu. He committed hara-kiri once again when after the huge loss in at the hands of Modi, he resigned and installed Jitan Ram Manjhi as the new CM. Nitish could not remain restful without power and chasing out Manjhi, settled in the throne once again which badly antagonized the Manjhi vote bank. Humiliated Manjhi jumped on the NDA bandwagon. In this wake, if Nitish loses the election, he will be reduced to dust and may take at least a decade to rise again. Similarly, the Congress, which is virtually a non-entity in Bihar is trying hard to hold the apron of MG to share power.
The BJP, which has a comfortable majority at the Centre, has two important objectives – firstly, on its path to Congress-free Bharat, it wants to get a big state like Bihar under its control and secondly, the victory will improve its position in the Rajya Sabha, where it has been sustaining strong opposition onslaughts. The party does not like to continue Delhi defeat in Bihar too.
The Third Front constituents want just to register their presence. Its seniormost leader, Mulayam exposed Lalu and Nitish for the failure of the Maha Gathbandhan coming to reality. Similarly Owaisi, from Hyderabad, having made entry in the Maharashtra assembly, is in Bihar assembly election to proveo his countrywide appeal.