Abstract
The Yamuna-Sutlej interfluve area has been important because of the presence of several palaeochannels that are hypothesized to be linked to Rigvedic river Saraswati that is now lost in time and space. Using satellite data, followed by field studies, the palaeo-course of a major river system in parts of the foothills of Himalaya, piedmont zone and plains of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan has been delineated. The palaeocourse of this major river system originating from south of Ropar, flowing southwards, combined with its tributaries including Ghaggar near Shutrana in Punjab flowed further south-west in parts of India and Pakistan culminating at Kutch. Along the length of interpreted palaeochannel, numerous Indus valley civilization sites are present. The field investigations with systematic sampling for geochronological analysis using thermo luminescence/optically stimulated luminescence (TL/OSL) technique, petro-mineraosedimentological studies have substantiated the existence of palaeochannels on the ground. Comprehensive remote-sensing investigations backed by geochronological input reveals that Sutlej palaeochannel was the main contributor of perennial water source at around 12±1 ka before shifting its course to present state and the palaeochannels between Yamuna-Sutlej interfluve were its tributaries, the most important being Ghaggar. The Sutlej palaeochannel was active till 12 ka and was receiving Himalayan sediments before the advent of aeolian episodes at around 12 ka and 7.4±0.4 ka. However, sediments from the river bed of the present Ghaggar river near Anupgarh indicates that the palaeochannel was receiving water supply till 5.2 ka having sufficient energy to deposit fine sand.
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Acknowledgement
The authors thankfully acknowledge the administrative and technical support provided by Geological Survey of India. Our sincere thanks are also due to the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) officials for their logistic support during the field work. The authors are highly thankful to Shri Apurva Alok, SRF, Department Of Geology, University of Delhi for SEM photographs. Last but not the least; all the field staff associated during the field work are highly appreciated for their support to accomplish the work.
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Tewari, H., Shukla, M.K., Chaturvedi, R. et al. Evolution of the Drainage System in Yamuna-Sutlej Interfluve — Multi-disciplinary Approach. J Geol Soc India 97, 799–808 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-021-1762-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-021-1762-7