MYSTERY OF VIGHAKOT

Scientist ISRO PS Thakkar with YS Rawat. The mystery of Vighakot Joint investigations based on satellite pictures and archaeological explorations by ISRO and the Gujarat Directorate of archaeology have revealed a great medieval city comprising two forts and several other things of great antiquity at a spot call Vighakot which is just two kms away from the Pakistan border in the Great Rann of Kutch. Interestingly this site isn't very far from the last lap of the ancient Saraswati river whose course stands as good as established by archaeologists. Explorations by joint teams of ISRO and Gujarat archaeology directorate have found from the spot copper and silver coins human skeletons ornamemntal stones real pearls big sized bricks foundations of houses and a grinding stones. All this things can be found acattered in Vighakot.But more important is a powerful underground flow of a river stream detected along a stretch at Vighakot. Now using modern techniques the experts are going to find out whether it is of saline water or of sweet water. If it turns out to be of sweet water than it will generate immense interest and trigger further investigations.Vighakot is located on the old route from Kutch to Sindh. It is not very far from the Allahband Dyke an earthen dam constrcuted by the Sindhi ruler Ghulamshah Kalhora in the 18th century with a view to diverting the flow of one of the branches of Indus river. It was a game on his part to teach a lesson to his rival the Maharao of Kutch and by this stroke he permanenly diverted that Indus branch from Kutch. Archaeologists believe Vighakot has many periods buried under it. The place which is currently a ruined fort like structure was destroyed by a huge earthquake in the 17th century when it was a flourishing place. But archaeologists believe it is also a Indus Valley Civilisation site which has connection with world famous site Dholavira. Photo by Shailesh Raval 02 07 2005