The first Indian dinosaur emerges from oblivion

 
Rajasaurus narmadensis: Fossilized bones of this species was first discovered by Suresh Srivastava of GSI during 1982-84 from Rahioli, Kheda district, Gujarat, India.

Fossil bones of Rajasaurus have also been identified from Lameta Formation (Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) near Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh in Central India, indicating its habitat along Narmada river upto Gujarat.

Rajasaurus, a theropod (carnivore), lived along narmada valley. It had its cousins (eg. Majungatholus) in Africa and Madagascar. The type specimens of this princely reptile (9 m length, 3 m height) are to be preserved in the repository unit of GSI at Kolkata.
An artists impression of Rajasaurus narmadensis


The fossil collection consists of huge limb bones, vertebrae, pelvic bones, brain case, post cranial skeleton, parts of lower and upper jaws, teeth and tail.

A team of scientists from India and USA collaborated in assessing the anatomy of Rajasaurus, thereby successfully reconstructing the total appearance of it.


  The team of scientists:

  • Suresh Srivastava, D. K. Bhatt, GSI, India
  • Ashok Sahni, Ashu Khosla, Panjab University, India
  • Paul Sereno, University of Chicago, USA*
  • Jeffrey Wilson, Michigan State University, USA*

Ref: Wilson, Jeffrey A., Paul C. Sereno, S. Srivastava, D. K. Bhatt, A. Khosla & A Sahni (2003) A new abelisaurid (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from the Lameta Formation (Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) of India. Contrib. Museum of Palaeontology, Univ.of Michigan

*sponsored by National Geographic Society

Download a detail report regarding Rajasaurus Narmadensis
Reconstructed head of Rajasaurus narmadensis
For details contact:
Dy. Director General, Op: M.P & Chattisgarh Geological Survey of India,
E-5 Arera Colony, Bhopal 462016
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Last updated September 25, 2003