Dwarka is an important Hindu Pilgrimage city was the fabled capital city of Lord Krishna. The land for the city was reclaimed from the sea to build a planned city on the banks of river Gomati. Known by various other names like Dwaramati, Dwarawati and Kushsthali the city was well-organized into six different sectors. A hall was build to hold public meetings known as Sudharma Sabha. The stone and brick buildings covered the whole city.
It is said to be one of the seven most ancient cities or the 'sapta puris' in the country. According to legends it submerged into the sea after Sri Krishna left for the heavenly abode and other Yadava kings were killed in infighting. According to the account of Arjun in Mahabharata he brought Krishna's grandsons and the Yadava wives to Hastinapur. The waves submerged the city soon after.
In excavations several objects have been discovered which find a mention in the ancient texts.Pottery, iron stakes and triangular three holed anchors are some of the findings .The inscriptions correspond to late Indus Valley civilization script. According to Dr Rao of the National Institute of Oceanography the findings in Dwarka and archeological evidence are found to be compatible with the Mahabharata tradition .Removing the doubt about the historicity of the Mahabharata and existence of Krishna.
Archeologists believe that Kusasthali, a pre-Dwarka settlement did exist in Bet, Dwarka as it was first occupied and fortified during the Mahabharata period and was named Dwarka. A new planned port town was built a few years later at the mouth of the river Gomati. This proves that Mahabharata was an important source of history. Also known as the "City of Gold. Dwarka was a seaport from where ships regularly traveled as far as to the Mediterranean world. It was also the gateway to western India.
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