An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c14.s2.3

v1.c14.s2.3

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the desert is the absence or scarcity of surface water. In the s. part there is a network of seasonal rivers formed by the Luni and its tributaries all of which rise in the Aravallis and join the Luni, the latter losing itself in the sands of the Rann of Kutch. In the extreme n. is the dried-up bed of the Ghaggar/ŚRASVATĪ. Between these two rivers in an area of roughly 300 km n.-s. and 400 km e.-w. there is no stream channel of any consequence. There are however a large number of saline lakes of varying sizes which receive the drainage of neighbouring hills and dunes but remain dry for most part of the year. Even away from the lakes the subsoil water is often brackish. Sweet water is a scarce and precious commodity.