Hydrology and Water Resources Management in Ancient Indiapreprint
Аннотация: Abstract. Hydrologic knowledge in India has a historical footprint extending over several millenniums through the Harappan Civilisation (~ 3000 BC–1500 BC) and the Vedic period (~ 1500–500 BC). As in other ancient civilisations across the world, the need to manage water propelled the growth of hydrologic science in ancient India also. Most of the ancient hydrologic knowledge, however, has remained hidden and unexplored to the world at large till the recent times. In this paper, we provide some fascinating glimpses into the hydrological, hydraulic and related engineering knowledge that existed in ancient India, as discussed in contemporary literature and in the recent explorations and findings. The Vedas, particularly, the Rigveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda have many references to water cycle and associated processes, including water quality, hydraulic machines and other structures and nature-based solutions (NBS) for water management. The Harappan Civilization epitomizes the level of development of water sciences in ancient India that includes construction of sophisticated hydraulic structures, wastewater disposal systems based on centralized and decentralized concepts as well as methods for wastewater treatments. The Mauryan empire (~ 322 BC–185 BC) is credited as the first hydraulic civilization characterised by construction of dams with spillways, reservoirs, channels equipped with spillways, pynes and Ahars, understanding of water balance, development of water pricing systems, measurement of rainfall and knowledge of the various hydrological processes. As we investigate deeper into hydrologic references in ancient literature, including the Indian mythology, many fascinating dimensions of the early scientific endeavours of Indians emerge.
Год издания: 2020
Ключевые слова: Water management and technologies, Transboundary Water Resource Management
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