Discuss the water harvesting techniques adopted in ancient India.
Answers
The knowledge of hydrology is deep rooted in the science of ancient India. Our ancestors applied the knowledge in water resource engineering. They designed and constructed dams and a variety of water structures much earlier than the consciously believed Greek, Roman or other ancient civilizations. Every region of our country had its own water harvesting techniques, reflecting the geographical peculiarities and cultural uniqueness of different communities.
Rajasthan, a large part of which is covered by the Thar Desert, has had a long tradition of water conservation. For instance builders of the famous Bundi and Chittorgarh forts had the vision of exploiting the natural catchments in the forts created by undulating hilltops. Rainwater was collected in several ways and water flowing down the hill slopes was also stored in a water body. Two pictures below of Bundi Fort illustrate it. Picture- 1 shows a water path i.e. rainwater flowing down the hill was purified by a jaal (sieve) between the two structures.