History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c24.s6.52

v1.c24.s6.52

But, archaeological testimony does not leave any doubt about the actual digging of canals in ancient India. The excavations at Kumrahar (Bihar) have revealed a canal assignable to the Mauryan period. It measures 45 ft. x0 ft. deep. It possibly ran between the Son and the Ganga (IAR. 1954-55, p.19). Megasthenes testifies that under Candragupta Maurya canals were a regular part of irrigational activity. It was on such a large scale that it required the appointment of a special class of officers who “superintend the rivers, measure the land, as is done in Egypt, and inspect the closed canals from which the water is distributed into the conduits” (McCrindle, Frag, XXXIV; Majumdar, p. 268).