Remains of the ancient ports and anchorage points at Miyani and Visawada, on the west coast of India: A study based on underwater investigations

Abstract

The recent underwater explorations on the Saurashtra coast, Gujarat, India between Miyani on the west and Porbandar on the east yielded the existence two ports at Visawada and Miyani. Both sites are situated along the creeks, which would have served as an excellent natural harbour. The important antiquities include varieties of stone anchors, which are very similar to those reported from Dwarka and Bet Dwarka. The identification of ancient anchorage points between water depth of 5 and 15 m is another important aspect of this study. The possible dates of the anchors at Miyani and Visawada could be bracketed between the Historical and the Medieval periods.