Public Administration in Ancient India c20.58

c20.58

It is worthy of note that Hindu architecture and art and works of public utility were not confined to India. Some wonderful examples of Buddhist as well as Brahmanical architecture are still to be found in countries where the Hindus founded settlements, such as Ceylon, Cambodia, Siam, Java, Bali and Sumatra. The Kings of Ceylon paid great attention to the construction of works of public utility. Parākrama Bāhu, for instance, erected innumerable religious edifices and public buildings, and planted beautiful parks and gardens. He built a stone wall and stopped the course of the Kāra-ganga, and turned the wide flow of the waters thereof by means of the great channel Ākāsa-gangā. He also built that famous lake known as the Sea of Parākrama, and constructed the celebrated Jayagangā canal. It is said that the many thousands of lakes, tanks, and canals were constructed and repaired by this great monarch.¹