why did karikala chola raise embankments on the either sides of the river kaveri?
Answers
Karikala Chola ruled during the Sangam period in southern India. He was the greatest ruler among the Early Cholas. Karikala built the Grand Anicut which is also called the Kallanai. It is the oldest water-regulator or water diversion structure in the world which is used even now. It is a massive dam which is built of unhewn stone across the main stream of the river Kaveri. It is 329 metres long and 20 metres wide.
Karikala Chola built embankments on either side of the river Kaveri and other rivers to prevent flooding and divert the water from the river to delta districts. The embankment built on both sides of the river Kaveri is known as Kallanai dam. This is one of the first water diversion structures in the world. It helps in irrigation in the Cauvery delta to a large extent.
The Kallanai dam is really huge with a total length of 329 meters and a width of 20 meters.