History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c32.s2.t4.2

v1.c32.s2.t4.2

In Sanskrit literature the expressions such as *nāla*, *nālikā*, *praṇāḷi* are used to designate different types of canals, drains and channels and these unmistakably point to the existence of artificial water-courses used in irrigation in North India. The canals which also helped to stop inundation by rivers are referred to as *Jalanirgamah* (drains) in the *Amarakośa* (9.7; 9.36).