Mysore and Coorg from the Inscriptions c10.34

c10.34

As regards dams, with their channels for irrigation, an interesting account is given (Dg 23) of one erected at Harihara in 1410 on the Haridrā, near where it flows into the Tuṅgabhadrā. It soon breached, but was restored in 1424 (Dg 29). The river is addressed as if sentient and responding to the wishes of the restorer. "When you said Stop!—at your command she stood still. When you called, she at once came on, flowing through the channel." In 1416 was restored a dam on the Pālār which had been breached from time immemorial and ruined down to the level of the ground (Mb 7). In 1460 was made a new dam in the Kāvērī (Sr 139), by the chief of Nāgamangala, the channel from which was extended to Harahu. The conditions on which the contract for making a channel in 1397 was given are stated in Bg 10, and included the present of a horse and bracelets to the contractor. But it was stipulated that these, as well as the funds advanced, were to be returned if water did not flow between certain specified points.