WATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS IN ANCIENT INDIA

A RECENT VIDEO with an email from a friend describes Mandu's sophisticated historical water harvesting system. Indeed, ancient India has a glorious past in water harvesting techniques, developed over centuries, starting right from the Indus Valley Civilisation (3300 BC - 1300 BC) and the Maurya dynasty (starting 320 BC). In the absence of any canals - particularly in the arid regions - communities had to focus on capturing and conserving rainwater for drinking, irrigation and other needs.

- By KRISHAN KALRA

Before I mention the diverse techniques used in those times, let me share some details of the marvel at Mandu - a hilltop town in Madhya Pradesh - that I have seen vividly in the viral video. Over 1,200 interconnected tanks were constructed and these along with interconnected channels that collected rainwater across the town, serve their needs.

THE BAOLIS