The Mauryan Polity c13.s4: 4. Irrigation canals
The Mauryan Polity c13.s4
- Language
- English
4. Irrigation canals
c13.s4.1
Speaking on irrigation, Megasthenes observes⁵ that the officials supervise waterways (McCrindle, sluices) which can be closed, and out of which water is let out slowly so that all may have access to it. Prof. Stein would not accept the rendering by McCrindle⁶ of the Greek expression in the *Indika* as sluices. He interprets it as any waterway that could be shut up. We can accept Stein's interpretation as it well fits in with the use of the term in the *Arthaśāstra*,—*Setubandha*.¹ The term is also used in another sense, *viz.*, connection by iron railings. With this we are not concerned now. *Setubandha* is a construction of a dam or bridge to shut out or let in water. This is the generally accepted interpretation and no purpose is served by twisting it and interpreting it in other ways. It has been accepted on all hands that one of the means of India's irrigation was by means of canals and channels and this finds an unmistakable expression in the extant *Arthaśāstra*.²
c13.s4.2
⁵ Fg. 34.
c13.s4.3
⁶ Meg. und Kauṭilya, pp. 22-27. See also Barnett, Antiquities of India, p. 107.
c13.s4.4
¹ Bk. II, ch. 1; Bk. VII, ch. 14.
c13.s4.5
² Bk. II, ch. 24.
Linked texts (2)
- Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit
- Ἰνδική — Λούκιος Φλάουιος Ἀρριανός, Ancient Greek