Developments in water dams and water harvesting systems throughout history in different civilizations

Baba, Alper; Tsatsanifos, Chr; Gohary, Fatma El; Palerm, Jacinta; Khan, Saifullah; Mahmoudian, S Ali; Ahmed, Abdelkader T.; Tayfur, Gökmen; Dialynas, Y. G.; Angelakιs, Andreas N.

doi:10.15406/ijh.2018.02.00064

Cited by 24 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Scarborough (2003) and Ortloff (2009) discussed the impacts of water control practices on historical social systems and organizations with examples from the jap and western hemispheres. The systems that Harappans of Dholavira town advanced for conservation, harvesting, and storage of water speak eloquently about their advanced hydraulic engineering capabilities, given the state of technology (Baba et al, 2018)10. The "Lothal" (which means "mound of the useless"), called the harbor city of the Harappan civilization (Bindra, 2003), is located on the doab of the Sabarmati and Bhogavo rivers.…”

Section: Indus Valley Civilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water Storage and Supply System in Ancient India

2022

pnr

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Evidence from historical water history provides perception into the hydrological knowledge generated by means of Indians extra than 3000 years ago. This paper explores many aspects of ancient Indian information on hydrology and water assets with a focus on hydrological processes, dimension of precipitation, water control and generation, and wastewater management, which can be based on opinions of the

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Section: Indus Valley Civilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water Storage and Supply System in Ancient India

2022

pnr

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“…The civilization is the first accredited identified dockyard in the world. Indus society was also aware of oceanic calamities such as tsunami [34].…”

Section: Ancient Indians and Indus Valley Civilizationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Desalination: From Ancient to Present and Future

Angelakιs

Valipour

Choo

et al. 2021

Water

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Water is life, and without water, there would be no civilizations and a vacant Earth. Water is considered an abundant natural resource on the earth. Water covers 3/4 of the surface. However, 97% of the available water on the earth is salty oceanic water, and only a tiny fraction (3%) is freshwater. This small portion of the available water supplies the needs of humans and animals. However, freshwater exists in underground, rivers, and lakes and is insufficient to cover all the world’s water demands. Thus, water saving, water reuse, rainwater harvesting, stormwater utilization, and desalination are critical for maintaining water supplies for the future of humanity. Desalination has a long history spanning centuries from ancient times to the present. In the last two decades, desalination has been rapidly expanding to meet water needs in stressed water regions of the world. Yet, there are still some problems with its implementation in several areas of the world. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the history of desalination for wiser and smarter water extraction and uses to sustain and support the water needs of the earth’s inhabitants.

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Section: Water Management Technology In Ancient Indiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Agriculture and livestock rearing occupied a prominent role during the Jainism and Buddhism period (600 BCE), and channel irrigation was in vogue (Bagchi and Bagchi, 1991). Field embankments were constructed surrounding the fields to increase water holding capacity at strategic points with sluice gates to harness river water with proper regulation facilities (Arthashastra), and irrigation through conduits was in practice to deliver water to the irrigation field for attaining higher efficiency (Bagchi and Bagchi, 1991). Literature suggests that a large number of hydraulic structures (dams, canals and lakes) were built during the Mauryan period in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and other parts of the country for irrigation and drinking purposes (Shaw et al, 2007;Sutcliffe et al, 2011).…”

Section: Water Management Technology In Ancient Indiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrology and water resources management in ancient India

Singh

Dey

Jain

et al. 2020

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Hydrologic knowledge in India has a historical footprint extending over several millenniums through the Harappan civilization (∼3000–1500 BCE) and the Vedic Period (∼1500–500 BCE). As in other ancient civilizations across the world, the need to manage water propelled the growth of hydrologic science in ancient India. Most of the ancient hydrologic knowledge, however, has remained hidden and unfamiliar to the world at large until 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 revealed by the recent explorations and findings. The Vedas, particularly, the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda, have many references to the water cycle and associated processes, including water quality, hydraulic machines, hydro-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, and methods for wastewater treatment. The Mauryan Empire (∼322–185 BCE) is credited as the first “hydraulic civilization” and is characterized by the construction of dams with spillways, reservoirs, and channels equipped with spillways (Pynes and Ahars); they also had an understanding of water balance, development of water pricing systems, measurement of rainfall, and knowledge of the various hydrological processes. As we investigate deeper into the references to hydrologic works in ancient Indian literature including the mythology, many fascinating dimensions of the Indian scientific contributions emerge. This review presents the various facets of water management, exploring disciplines such as history, archeology, hydrology and hydraulic engineering, and culture and covering the geographical area of the entire Indian subcontinent to the east of the Indus River. The review covers the period from the Mature Harappan Phase to the Vedic Period and the Mauryan Empire.

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Developments in water dams and water harvesting systems throughout history in different civilizations

Cited by 24 publications

References 22 publications

Water Storage and Supply System in Ancient India

Water Storage and Supply System in Ancient India

Desalination: From Ancient to Present and Future

Hydrology and water resources management in ancient India

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