Dating MahABhArat…Excerpts

Excerpts from a well-researched attempt at dating the MahABhArat… (published Feb ’04 in the Daily Pioneer)

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…For thousands of years, we have believed in the divinity of Shri Krishna. For us he was a Karmayogi par excellence who gave us action oriented philosophy of life in the form of Bhagavad Gita. But questions have constantly haunted us as to whether Krishna was a historical or mythical character and whether the war of Mahabharata was actually fought.

Till recently, we did not have the wherewithal to search for and establish the truth. But modern scientific tools and techniques like computers with planetarium softwares, advancements in archaeological and marine archaeological techniques, earth-sensing satellite photography and thermo-luminescence dating methods, all have made it possible to establish the authenticity and dating of many events narrated in ancient texts like the Mahabharata. Recent archaeo-astronomical studies, results of marine-archaeological explorations and overwhelming archaeological evidence have established the historicity and dating of many events narrated in the Mahabharata. These have led to the conclusion that Mahabharata War was actually fought in 1478 BC and Shri Krishna’s Dwarka City got submerged under the sea in 1443 BC.

Astronomical Evidence: In the Mahabharata references to sequential solar and lunar eclipses as also references to some celestial observations have been made. Dr RN Iyengar…examined relevant references and searched for the compatible dates by making use of planetarium software (PVIS and EZC). He concluded that most of these references were internally consistent and that the eclipses and celestial observations of Mahabharata belong to the period 1493 BC-1443 BC of Indian History, (refer Indian Journal of History of Science/38.2/2003/77-115).

In the Mahabharata, there are references to three sequential solar eclipses and some other planetary positions. Reference to the first solar eclipse comes in the Sabha Parva (79.29), graphically described by Vidur when Pandavas start their journey to the forest on being banished for 12 years of life in exile and one year of life incognito after they had lost everything in the game of dice. After 13 years of exile and incognito life, the Pandavas returned to Hastinapur and demanded their kingdom back, but Duryodhana refused. Several efforts to prevent war failed and war became imminent.

There is a reference to the second solar eclipse in the Bhisma Parva (3.29), following a lunar eclipse occurring within the same fortnight a few days before the actual war of Mahabharata.

…Reference to the third solar eclipse comes in the Mausala Parva (2.19 to 2.20) occurring in the 36th year of the Mahabharata War. This was visible from the city of Dwarka, which is stated to have been subsequently submerged under the sea. For these observations to be internally consistent, there should have been three solar eclipses within 50 years. The first one and the second one after a gap of 14-15 years should have been visible from Kurukshetra whereas the third solar eclipse should have been visible from Dwarka after 35 years of the second one.

Marine Archaeological explorations around Dwarka: The on-shore and off-shore explorations carried out in and around Dwarka during last 50 years have revealed that Dwarka was a prosperous city in ancient times, which was destroyed and reconstructed several times. …A project for marine archaeological explorations in Dwarka was initiated under …marine archaeologist Dr Rao

Dr Rao’s team …team carried out 12 marine archaeological expeditions between the year 1983 to 1992 AD and articles/antiquities recovered were sent to Physical Research Laboratory for dating. By using thermo- luminescence, carbon dating and other modern scientific techniques, artifacts were found to be belonging to the period 15th to 18th century BC. In his great work, The Lost City of Dwarka, Dr Rao has given scientific details of these discoveries and artifacts. Conclusions arrived at after carrying out these under-water archaeological explorations support and validate the dates arrived at through astronomical calculations. These also prove that the reconstructed city of Dwarka was a prosperous port town, and that it was in existence for about 60-70 years in the 15th century BC before  being submerged under the sea in the year 1443 BC.

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However, there is a school of thought that believes the MahAbhArat should actually be placed about 2000 years before this ~ sometime around 3100BC. The reasons that are cited include:

• Dr Iyengar’s work is restricted to only a few of the 150 astronomical observations recorded by Veda Vyasa and uses a variant Telugu text
• SR Rao has himself conceded that his work did not go beyind shallow seas and perhaps more work was needed
• Similar astronomical evidence can be found that is consistent with dates around 3100 BC. E.g. Solar eclipse on Jyeshtha amavasya Oct. 14, 3067 BCE, Winter solstice, January 13, 3066 BCE, Bhishma’s expiry, January 17, 3066 BCE Magha shukla ashtami etc.

Yet, even these dates are not conclusive.

According to research by Pradip Bhattacharya, “The Date of the Mahabharata War, “…the War commenced on the 14th of October, and was brought to a close on the night of the 31st of October, 1194 B.C. Whether or not this precise date, based as it is on data furnished by the Mahabharata alone, proves to be acceptable to the critical eye of a historian, we may at least be sure that the war took place in the latter part of the year 1194 B.C….”

Dr S Balakrishna however believes that: “3129 BC and 2559 BC dates appear to be very viable dates for Mahabharata war as are a few others. This study provides modern scientific support one critical astronomical statement made in Mahabharata Bhishma Parva that “Thirteen day” eclipse pair occurred in Kurukshethra before the Mahabharata war.” (Part I of his research is here)

Clearly this is an area that needs more research and funds…Until we have that, the presice dating of MahABhArat will continue to remain a mystery.

Related Posts:

The search for a historical “Rama”

A Search for the Historical Krishna

See also: The Mahabharata and the Sindhu-Sarasvati Tradition [pdf file] which has a more nuanced interpretation of events and suggests a date of 3137 BC

UPDATE: Many of you will find this article fascinating: Saraswati River: Identifying tirthas visited by Balarama (image & excerpt below).

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