water resources engineering of ancient india
DESCRIPTION
Ancient Indian JalashashtraTRANSCRIPT
Edited & Compiled By Dr.A.S.Nene20 July 2010
Prachin Bharatiya Jala Shastra
Table of Contents
SN
Title Pages
1 Introduction 1-6
2 Ancient Indian References 7-13
3 Properties of water 14-15
4 Jala Shashtra 4.1 Storage of water 4.2 Supply or Distribution 4.3 Drainage of water
16-29
5 Water divining 30-38
6 Pollution of water 39-41
7 Hydraulic Machines 42-44
8 Forecast of Rainfall & Measurement
45-51
9 References 52-57
Appendix 1- Libraries and Book Sellers
i-ii
Appendix 2- Maps of India iii-vii
Appendix 3- 100 Sanskrit names viii-ix
Appendix 4- Tank completion report x-xii
Read this book to know that;
•King Bhagirath was the first irrigation engineer, who developed a network of rivers and canals in north India.Sage Kashypa reclaimed the water-logged land of Kashmir by dewatering and hence the land is known as "Kashypa Mir" or Kashmir.Varahmihir was the first hydrologist to develop a science (Dakargal) to predict underground aquifers, based on surface indicators, such as trees, plants, creepers, grass, terrariums, hibernating animals etc.Ancient text "Kadambini" describes forecasting of rains based on certain natural symptoms. (Insects, birds, animals, flora of trees etc.)
•Varahmihir developed method to predict rain fall, based on astronomy.•Sage Vashishtha and Sage Bhrugu were the first divine engineers to describe properties of flowing and steady water.•Vedic hymns praise the deity of water.Water mills were first developed in India and later the technique was used by Persians (Persian well)•Kautilya gave guideline for construction of dams, canal, wells, pollution prevention etc.•An ancient text "Nighantu" mentions one hundred meaningful names of water.
2. Ancient Indian Literature
2.1 Vedic Period 3000 - 5000 BC
Sources of water
2.2 Post Vedic Period
“Are the dams full of water and big enough and well Distributed in different parts of the kingdom, and whether agriculture depends only on rain water?" Naradniti
Rishi Narad asks Yudhishitira
Chapters of Narad Shilpashashtra
Ponds & Tanks Arch Bridges Water Forts River Forts
3. PROPERTIES OF WATER
3.1 Twelve properties of Flowing Water
Weight of a body suspended in water is
Equivalent to weight of water of volume same
As submerged portion. (Archimedes Principle).
3.2 Static Water
The water pressure is equivalent to its weight.
The banks should be sloping to reduce the damage due to waves.
4. JALASHSHASTRA TECHNIQUES
The three Vidya or Techniques of this Shastra are;
Storage of water –Stambhan
Water Supply/ Distribution – Sanchetan
Drainage / Dewatering - Samharan
Ten types of tanks
5. WATER DIVINING IN ANCIENT INDIA
The indicators for aquifers are
Specific trees, plants, herbs and grassesHibernating animals (Enjoying winter sleep- frogs, lizards, snakes, alligators and tortoises)Anthills (Terrariums)
Varahmihir (505 C.E- 587 C.E),
84 Botanical names of trees mentioned in Brihat Samhita Chapter
54
B01 Calamas rotang Rattan (Cane)
B84 Dalbergia latifolia Sissoo tree
6. POLLUTION OF WATER
Treatment of Well water
Maintenance of water bodies
7. HYDRAULIC MACHINES
8 METHODS OF FORECASTING RAIN
Quantity of rainfall in different regions
Normal rainy season
18 Ancient References
67 Modern references
Appendix 1 -List of Libraries Sources in India
Appendix 2- Glossary of Terms and Ancient Measures of Liquids
Appendix 3 -100 Sanskrit Names of water
Appendix 4- 18th Century report on Rajasagar tank
Dr.A.S.Nene M4 Laxmi Nagar, Nagpur (India) 440022 Email: [email protected]
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