History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c32.s2.t5.14

v1.c32.s2.t5.14

The ancient canal at Nāgārjunakoṇḍa, datable to the 3rd or 4th century A.D. when the Ikṣvāku dynasty ruled over the parts of Āndhradeśa with their capital at Vijayapuri in the picturesque valley is another example. “The exposed canal runs to a length of more than 800 yards flowing east-west with an average width of 50 feet and 6 feet depth. The embankments were constructed with a hard lime stone gravel with *Kaṅkar* and stones which were rammed to withstand the rush of water. They were gradually sloped to the canal bed which also contained similar flooring. In addition to this the southern side embankment was further strengthened by a random rubble wall of 4 feet wide” (Subrahamaniyam, *IAR*, 1958-59, p.8). The canal was built of large-sized bricks (12 × 12 × 3) and of extremely durable nature. Though the purpose of such a big canal as this is not clear, it can be reasonably surmised that it served as a water source for the dwellings in the vicinity, and other public use, in particular to the famous stadium, the Harati temple, great bath, etc. (Subrahmaniyam, *IAR*, 1954-55, pp.22-23).