THESIS 2019-20
RECALLING ANCIENT
DWARAKA
archaeological research center and museum for the lost city of Dwaraka
A THESIS SYNOPSIS
SUBMITTED BY
Vishnu M
VOAPEBC022 Vedavyasa College of Architecture
THESIS 2019-20
THE LOST CITY OF DWARAKA
The discovery of the legendary city of Dvaraka which is said to have been founded by Sri
Krishna, is an important landmark in the validation of historical relevance of Mahabharata. It
has set at rest the doubts expressed by historians about the historicity of Mahabharata and
the very existence of Dvaraka city.
It has greatly narrowed the gap of Indian history by establishing the continuity of the Indian civilization from the
Vedic age to the present day.
DWARKA EXPLORATION
Dwaraka is a coastal town in Jamnagar district of Gujarat. Traditionally, modern Dwaraka is
identified with Dvaraka, mentioned in the Mahabharata as Krishna's city. Dwaraka was a port,
and some scholars have identified it with the island of Barka mentioned in the Periplus of
Erythrean Sea. Ancient Dwaraka sank in sea and hence is an important archaeological site.
The Marine Archaeological Unit (MAU) of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted
a second round of excavations in 1979 under the supervision of Dr S. R. Rao (one of the most
respected archaeologists of India). 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. He found a distinct pottery known as lustrous
red ware, which could be more than 3,000 years old. Based on the results of these
excavations, the search for the sunken city in the Arabian Sea began in 1981. Scientists and
archaeologists have continually worked on the site for 20 years.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO DWARKA
The rise in the sea-level in Dwarka is a scientific truth. Studies have proved that the sea
considerably and suddenly rose to submerge the city. Harivamsha describes the submerging
of Dwarka saying Krishna instructed Arjuna, who was then visiting Dwarka, to evacuate the
residents of the city as the sea was going to engulf the city. "On the seventh day (of Krishna
saying this), as the last of the citizens were leaving the city, the sea entered the streets of
Dwarka."
According to experts, there could have been three reasons why the sea entered the land.
One, a change in the level of seabed, two, a massive earthquake and three, sudden increase
in the level of sea water. Of the three, the last is the most plausible. If it was a change in the
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THESIS 2019-20
level of seabed, some remains of the "tearing off action" on the shore would be visible, which
is absent. Earthquake can be ruled out as the structures have not collapsed because of the
shake. The third reason is most acceptable as a similar phenomenon had occurred in the
shores of Bahrain, around the same time, as some recent findings indicate. It is to be noted
here that considerable work has been done on shore and offshore underwater excavations
in Bahrain, which has indicated a deep and regular trade and other relations between the
western coast and the coasts of the present-day Bahrain region.
AIM
To design an integrated space for Archaeological research center and Museum.
OBJECTIVES
• To study the research work done by S.R Rao and to create an understanding of
Ancient Dwaraka.
• To study the functions and requirements of an Archaeological Research center and
Museum.
• To study and understand the site features required for the Archaeological Research
center.
• To study about underwater architecture and its scope.
• To provide a space for displaying the history and culure of Dwaraka.
• To create a path through the museum to experience the ancient Dwaraka.
• To integrate archaeological research center with the museum architecturally.
• To create underwater viewing chambers for viewing the submerged ruins.
• To provide recreational and commercial activity spaces for visitors.
• To provide basic services for proper functioning of the whole infrastructure.
SITE
The site is located in the state of Gujarat, India.
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THESIS 2019-20
Samiāni island, Gujarat 22.48779°N 69.0866°Ö
Site area = 27 acres
Located near most visitors attracted place Bet Dwaraka where the findings of the
submerged city lies.
Currently the site has a ferry port and light house, the site has no other purpose rather
than the visitors coming to the light house
PROJECT FEASIBILITY
Tourism footfall and infrastructure in Gujarat.
• Tourism is typically categorised into broadly three types – religious, business and
leisure tourism. Dwarka and Bet Dwarka are largely associated with the religious
tourism and recreational activities. When pilgrims visit the Dwarkadhish temple in
Dwarka, they also visit nearby places such as Bet Dwarka where there are
mythological references of Lord Krishna’s residence,
SCOPE OF PROJECT
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THESIS 2019-20
The project aims to bring back ancient history to the modern world by providing exhibiting
spaces and study centers.
As the site is surrounded by sea there is a scope for underwater architecture involving
viewing chambers and submarine museum of dolphins as they are in good population in
deeper water, off Dwarka.
The project enables to create space for further archaeological studies and for public
exhibition.
There is a scope for the expansion and renovation for the existing ferry port.
Scuba diving center and other water related aminities can also be provided which will
promote tourism and generate revenue.
LIMITATION
Underwater construction drawings are hard to detail and requires more time.
Initial access through the ferry and its expansion cannot be tackled in one project.
As the site is an island connecting it with a power grid is difficult and a self-sustaining
power grid must be provided.
Detailed studies regarding the influence of sea on the site will increase the time span of the
project completion.
Less live case studies for underwater museums is the major limitation of the project.
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THESIS 2019-20
METHODOLOGY
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
1. Museum
2. Viewing chambers
3. Research labs
4. Lecture halls
5. Auditorium
6. Canteen
7. Cafeteria
8. Toilets
9. Recreational area
10. Parking lots
CASE STUDIES
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THESIS 2019-20
1. Institute of Archaeology (live case study)
Red Fort Complex, Near, Chandni Chowk, Delhi
2. Sarnath museum (live case study)
Sarnath Museum is the oldest site museum of Archaeological Survey of India. It
houses the findings and excavations at the archaeological site of Sarnath, by the
Archaeological Survey of India. Sarnath is located near Varanasi, in the state of
Uttar Pradesh. The museum has 6,832 sculptures and artefacts.
3. Amaravati Archaeological Museum (live case study)
The Amaravati Archaeological Museum is a museum located in Amaravati, a village
in Guntur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is running by Andhra
Pradesh tourism. It opens at morning 10:00 and closed at 5:00 pm and Friday
holiday. It also consists modal of Amaravathi Mahachaitya
4. Cancún Underwater Museum (literature case study)
The Cancún Underwater Museum a non-profit organization based
in Cancún, Mexico devoted to the art of conservation. The museum has a total of
500 sculptures, most by the British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and the others by
five Mexican sculptors, with three different galleries submerged between three and
six meters (9.8 and 19.6ft ) deep in the ocean at the Cancún National Marine Park.
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