History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c32.s1.7

v1.c32.s1.7

During the Mauryan period much importance was shown to agriculture and irrigation facilities by the State. Although there is only one instance of the State organised irrigation, the construction of a large reservoir, Sudarsana lake, by Puṣyagupta, (the governor of Candragupta) and later completed with a canal system by Tusapa, the Yavana governor of Aśoka it is clear from the *Indica* of Megasthenes and Kauṭilya’s *Arthaśāstra* that the State recognised the importance of irrigation and encouraged private initiative in this direction. Perhaps this was done by the State to increase the State revenue.