A
Quote from the British Sources
“The
natives of India, undoubtedly possess a natural aptitude for hydraulic
engineering…” *
Hydraulic engineering is connected to the conveyance of fluids such as water and its
flow. As a science, it also uses the
gravity to cause the movement of the fluids.
In
ancient India, workers fabricating hydraulic implements were known as
Odayamtrika as seen in the inscriptions at Nasik dated 3rd century
CE **
The
Brihaspati Smriti, one of the dharma sastras, lays down excavation of tanks,
wells etc and creating dams of the water courses as one of the duties of the
village corporations. ***
The
numerous lakes and connecting channels around us are all living proof of this
ancient genius. We have inscriptions too, recording how it was done.
Kambukal Channel / கம்ப வர்மன் கால்வாய் / கம்ப கால்வாய்
It is a channel
attributed to Kampavarma Pallavan to manage water resources, about 50-60 miles
long from Paalaaru. It also channelizes water from the monsoon rains, enables
storing of water in numerous tanks in its course.
Two channels branch out
from Palaar in Vellore district, one feeding the Kaveripakkam Eri, the other
Kampa Kaalvaai through Thirumalpur flows into the lakes of the Sriperumpudur
Taluk, from where it runs through Chengalpattu taluk. Its vestiges were seen
close to Thirupporur in the 18th Century as per the British Records.
These waterways, even
in their decrepit state elicited the admiration of the British –
“Larger
and more extensive projects… some of which still bear witness to the
enlightenment of the Hindu kings… compels the astonishment and admiration of
the beholder who examines such monument of a hydraulic skill… “
Buckingham canal, a British creation though not cared for, is
at least talked about and remembered today.
This 9th
century marvel certainly needs to be discussed more, for it to enter the consciousness and
awareness of the general public.
Keerappakkam
Lake
1.
20 Kuzhi of land donated to a person called Sangan for protection and
maintenance of the lake of Keeraipattur . Pallava - Kampavarman - 886 CE
2.
For the protection and maintenance of the Keeraipattur Lake, Kandi the
wife of Kumaarandhai Aravaanan, a resident of the village of Gnaayiru, of
Puzhal Kottam, has donated her ancestral property located in the village of
Keerapakkam to the local adminstration committee.
Kondangi
AR No 54/1934-35
1.
Seems to fix the rate of water - cess on bhatta vritti lands of
Kondangi, Nellikkuppam, Thimmanankuppam, Vengalakuppam and Palaveri by
Lingammaiyya Naiyinar, agent of the King. Vijayanagar Inscription at
Thirukkuleeswaram Udaiyar temple
Payyanur
AR No 109/1932-33 Rock near Ettiswara Temple Pallava – Pallava VijayaNandivikramavarman
1.
Registers the agreement made by the Gana of Payyanur to excavate a tank
in the village
Peramanur
– Slab Stone in the Tank Bund 38 / 1934-35 Chola Era
1.
Paalikkaaranaar of Peramanur made an annual grant of 70 kaadi of paddy, lands in the Erippatti, and
trees therein for the upkeep of the tank.
Ponmar
18/1934-35 Sakthipureeswarar Temple 16/17th century CE
1.
The Amanerikkulam near the temple desilted by Maambakkam Chinnaa
Chetty's son Vedagiri
Pozhichalur
- 1/1998 - The rock edict is near the
crematorium 12/13th century CE
1.
The trading community - ஐநூற்றுவர் -Einnoorruvar had created the Kulam.
Some
of the Water Taxes in Ancient TN as seen in the inscriptions
· நீர்நிலை காசு
· ஏரி வரி/உள்வரி/அந்தராயம்
· வட்டி நாழி
· குளவடை -குளம் குத்தகைக்கு
விடப்பட்ட தொகை
· ஏரிப்பட்டி – ஏரிகளை பராமரிக்க
அளிக்கப்படும் நிலமானியம்
· ஏரி ஆயம் – ஏரித்தண்ணீரை
பயன்படுத்திய விளைச்சலில் ஒரு பகுதி வரி
· ஏரிமீன் – மீன்பிடிக்க
· செந்நீர் பொதுவிளை – குடிநீர்
· செந்நீர் வெட்டி – நல்ல தெளிவான
நீர்நிலைகளை பராமரிக்க வரி
This system of mobilization of labour and materials for
preserving water bodies was in place, woven into the culture of this
civilization, ensured continuity, survival and prosperity for centuries.
The British records speak of villages having people
exclusively dedicated for maintaining and preserving water courses and water
bodies
கம்புகட்டி
– Whose sole duty is to attend to the water courses.
Fishing People
– Their Duty
was to dive down to the sluices within the tank and clear them when the passage
of the water may be obstructed. – They had the exclusive privilege of fishing
the tanks paying the inhabitants a compensation – probably the Erimeen tax.
The
turbulent times of the 1600s that involved several battles by locals and
invading armies, had displaced population and disrupted the earlier
arrangements for water management and irrigation.
The
calamities of the 1780 war when Tipu Sultan invaded had wrought havoc over the
Chengalpattu region. When the revenues from the Jaghire, was not to the level
expected, in November 1794, Mr Lionel Place was appointed Collector of the
Jaghire.
A school of surveying had been established in
1793 and a Superintendent of Tanks and Watercourses was recommended by the
board ( Of the British East India Company) in 1795
Between
1st May 1795, and 30th November 1796, Collector Lionel
Place had spent 61959 pagodas on the tanks, repairs and reconstruction and
33990 in the following year. But these amounts cannot cover for all the
expenses needed for the purpose.
It is
recorded that the villagers themselves were only too glad to bear their share,
to restore their lands to fertility. Much of the labour of the coarser sort,
such as earth-work, was executed without expectations and still more was paid
for at the batta, or the subsistence rate.
Madhurantakam tank, formed by damming up a small river
called Kiliyaaru which originates at a hill near Vandavaasi was enlarged in
1796.
Collector
Lionel Place connected and strengthened the banks of two smaller tanks which he
found there and converted them into a larger one with an escape at the northern
end.
The calingula
as this referred to, is one of the finest works of its kind in the country. It
was built in the form of a waved line, with a height of about 30 feet.
“The Southern portion is especially, is a very curious and beautiful specimen of masonry. Instead of being built in steps, the descent is formed to imitate the curve which the flood water takes in afresh, and huge blocks of granite have been hewn into this shape and are bound with lead.” #
The work
was completed in 1798. The banks of the Madurantakam tank are about 1.50 miles
long and the circumference of the tank, when full, is about 7 miles.
When so
much could be accomplished in times that are considered less advanced, it is
left to the reader’s imagination how much more should be accomplished now.
When
British themselves have appreciated and recorded Indian contribution, we have
epic levels of misinformation being spread even today.
Our
ancients had set high standards. It is our heritage and pride to take it
forward instead of berating ourselves and decimating it.
References
1.
*“The natives of India, undoubtedly possess a natural aptitude for
hydraulic engineering, which, whether it arise out of, or be merely stimulated
by self-interest, has, when directed by persons, possessing the vast authority
and influence of native governors or Collectors of Place’s stamp, produced many
grand and successful works. In point of fact, nearly every successful
irrigation work in the South of India, has been initiated, even if not entirely
constructed, by such agency.”
*Page 250 Chingleput Dt Manual
2.
**Odayamtrika
Epigraphia
Indica Vol X Appendix – List of Brahmi Inscriptions from the earliest times
-Nasik Cave inscription 1137 – King
Madhariputra Isvarasena – 3rd century CE
Records
an endowment of money for the community of monks ( bhikshusanga ) of the four
quarters residing at the vihara on Mount Trirasmi by Upasika Vishnudatta, the
daughter of Saka Agnivarman, wife of Ganapaka Rebhila and mother of ganapaka
Visvavarman. The money was invested with the guilds ( sreni) of the potters and
workers fabricating hydraulic engines (Odayamtrika) and oil millers (
Tilapishaka)
3. *** Corporate Life in Ancient India – R C Majumdar Page 143
4.
#Page 129 The Chingleput Late Madras District
5.
## Economic Conditions in the Madras Presidency 1800-1850 CE
6.
Kampa Varman was the second son of (Tellaaru Erindha) Nandivarma
Pallavan III (846-869) who was said to have ruled a part of the pallava
territory. His son Aparajithavarman was the last Pallava ruler
