Hydrology Journal

Geological records point out to a period of aridity 10,000 years ago, at the end stage of Pleistocene glaciation, which gradually changed to a wet phase. Copious rainfall in the Himalayan region gave rise to innumerable rivers, mainly Sarasvati river along with six other rivers which flowed down in cascades bringing enormous amounts of water in the plains of Punjab, Rajasthan and north Gujarat. During this period (6000 BC to 3000 BC), Aryan Vedic civilization developed along Sarasvati river. Aryans worked on Vedas and Rigveda contains 75 hymns in praise of Sarasvati river. Sarasvati river desiccated due to head ward erosion of Yamuna and west ward flow of Satadru (Sutlej, earlier a tributary of the Sarasvati) meeting Indus river where Indus civilization developed during 3000 BC to 1900 BC. The existence and desiccation of Sarasvati river had led many scientists during last 150 years to work on its migratory course and some have even suggested its shift from base of Aravali to Anupgarh and attributed all fresh water found in older formations in Thar desert to have been recharged by Sarasvati river. There are also Vedic references of another river, named as Drishadvati river, originating in Siwaliks and flowing south of Sarasavti river and Kurukhestra and ultimately merging in Runn of Kutch of Kutch. Earlier workers regarded Drishadvati river as one of the tributaries of Sarasvati river meeting it near Hanmangarh. Many workers advocated that Drishadvati river had independent catchment area in Siwaliks, took the course of present Chautang river till Sirsa after which it southern course was not traced. The author, after studying the satellite images of the area between Sirsa and Merta, traced its existence marked by saline lakes of Tal Chhapar, Didwana and Khatu which were formed as local depression after Drishadvati river stopped flowing. Based on the findings of the study of satellite images, author finds Drishadvati river as an independent river flowing on the northern side of Aravali, taking the present course of Luni river and ultimately merging in Runn of Kutch of Kutch with independent delta.