History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c32.s2.t1.3

v1.c32.s2.t1.3

The Kunāla Jātaka (prior to 4th cent. B.C.) mentions a dispute between the Sākiya and the Koliya tribes for the distribution of water from the dam across the river Hohini (Cowell, p. 19; Gupta, 1933). The earliest known reservoir with a dam is the famous ‘Sudarśana’ lake in Kathiawar (c. 300 B.C. - 457 A.D.) (EI, VIII, No. 6, p. 46). This lake was formed by a natural dam and furnished with well-provided conduits and drains. An important fact about this reservoir-cum-dam is that it continued to serve the Saurashtra region for about 400 years without any major repairs. The masonary work must have been very strong. However, the lake suffered heavy damage by a storm during the region of Rudradaman I in 150 A.D. The restoration work was carried out by his governor. After a gap of 300 years the lake again burst out during the reign of Gupta Skandagupta whose governor carried out the repairs and restoration of the embankment in 456 A.D.