Krishna unexplored: Scientists

While the Western world has been doing cutting edge research on Jesus Christ and the Bible, India lags far behind in tracing the legacy, life and times of its kings and heroes, feel archaeologists.

Scientists have discovered the sunken city of Dwaraka, but Krishna still remains more of a mythological figure, they add, mostly because of lack of manpower and funds.

"We should start treating our epics as history, not legends. There is enough scientific evidence for this, and a lot more needs to be done," says T K V Rajan, an archaeologist now organizing an exhibition on the scientific discoveries on Christ and Krishna at Parvati Art Gallery on Eldams Road.

"We hardly try connecting our finds to our epics. We find a pot, tank or inscription, but we do not bother to join the dots," says Rajan.

Archeologists and ocean scientists made a sensational discovery of Dwaraka under the Gulf of Khambat in 2001 and of coins with imprints of Lord Krishna and Balarama, issued by an Indo Greek king in Afghanistan. But precious little was done as follow-up.

"Archeologists in Europe have traced the precise spot of Jesus's birth, St Peter's house visited by Jesus, boats used during his time, his crucifix and even skeletons of giants who existed before the reign of King David. On the other hand, Hastinapur excavated in 1952, has not been touched again. There is so much to study in Kurukshetra and Mathura," says Rajan.

Dr T Sathyamoorthy, former superintending archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India, says there is scarce interest in the subject.

"In the south, there is virtually no college that offers archaeology as a subject or course. Not many people come for excavations. The northern states are slightly better, but most of the archeologists don't study the epics deeply enough," says Sathyamoorthy.

Dr R Nagaswamy, former director of the state department of archaeology, says while puranas are treated as legends, the Bible is taught as history, with dates.

"Now we can trace Lord Krishna back to 1700BC,