Watershed Management in Ancient India

Here we will explore the various water management and irrigation systems developed in ancient India, highlighting the technological advancements and ingenuity of the time.

Early Water Management Systems

We begin by discussing the sophisticated water management system found in Dholavira, a major city of the Indus Valley Civilization. The city was surrounded by 16 large reservoirs, some interconnected, demonstrating an early understanding of water conservation and management.

Dams and Irrigation Systems

Very important is the discovery of an ancient Indian irrigation system at Sanchi and other Buddhist sites, dating back to 300-200 BCE. These systems included dams ranging from 1 to 6 meters in height and 80 to 1400 meters in length.

Emperor Chandragupta Maurya is credited with constructing the Sudarshana Dam in Gujarat, and the Mauryans developed the Ahar Pyne System for rainwater harvesting and irrigation, still practiced in parts of Bihar and Jharkhand.

The Grand Anicut

We know that the Grand Anicut, also known as Kallanai Dam, in Tamil Nadu, is the world’s oldest dam still in use. Built by the Chola king Karikalan in the 1st century CE, the dam continues to provide irrigation to the Kaveri Delta region.

Stepwells

Let us discuss stepwells, a unique water storage system found in western India, particularly in Gujarat and Rajasthan. These stepwells, with their intricate architecture and cultural integration, were built to cope with seasonal fluctuations in water availability.

Conclusion

Thus we can conclude that ancient India had a pan-Indian understanding of watershed management techniques, as evidenced by the diverse systems found across the country. These systems, ranging from dams and irrigation canals to stepwells and rainwater harvesting structures, demonstrate the ingenuity and technological prowess of ancient Indians in managing water resources.