Source: The Hindu
CHENNAI, INDIA, June 19, 2002: The recent find of a submerged city in the Gulf of Cambay, off the state of Gujarat, perhaps as old as 7500 bce, brings attention to the existence of southern sources for the civilization of ancient India. The discovery of Cambay as well as Lothal, Dholavira and others in Gujarat have been pushing the seats of ancient Indian civilization deeper into the southern peninsula. In this article by Dr. David Frawley, he states, “We should not be surprised if more such sites are discovered in South India, especially the coastal regions, for the south has always played a significant, if neglected, role in ancient India going back to Vedic times.” Dr. Frawley bases his opinion for such coastal origin for Vedic civilization on “the oceanic character of Vedic symbolism in which all the main Rig Vedic Gods as well as many of the Vedic rishis have close connections with the sea. In fact, the image of the ocean pervades the whole of the Rig Veda.” “The Cambay site is in the ancient delta of the now dry Sarasvati River, one branch of which flowed into the Gulf of Cambay, showing that this site was part of the greater Sarasvati region and culture, which was the main location for Harappan cities in the 3300-1900 BCE period. Such an ocean front was important for maritime trade for the inland regions to the north. In this regard, important Vedic kings like Sudas were said to receive tribute from the sea (Rig Veda I.47.6).”