Water Management in Ancient India with reference to Kautilīya Arthaśāstra

Abstract

Water management has always been a persistent challenge in the countries like India which primarily depend on the agriculture as the main source livelihood and revenue. Agriculture in India majorly depends on monsoon. In spite of advancement in the technology, the problem of water management still continues to exists. In this respect, it is interesting to study some old texts like Kautilīya Arthaśāstra which deal the various aspects of effective water management. Various measures proposed by Kautilya, are seen to be implemented by the ancient Indian rulers, as is evident through the information recorded in the inscriptions. Therefore, attempt has been made to study the water management in the Kautilīya Arthaśāstra in the three respects namely - 1. Management of the available water resources especially for the purpose of agriculture. 2. Management of disasters related to water i.e. flood and famine. 3. Management and regulation of water routes.