History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c32.s2.t5.5

v1.c32.s2.t5.5

Most probably it extended as far as the Bes river which is hardly 2 furlongs away from the site. The masonry walls were plastered with lime mortar of a superior quality. D.R. Bhandarkar who supervised the excavation work opines that on chemical analysis it was found to rival that of the Romans. The use of such quality lime mortar is not only appropriate but essential also for such brick walls, which, otherwise, would have been easily destroyed by the percolation of water. The walls were deliberately sloped downward to counteract the pressure of water. Traces of a flight of steps found at the middle of the south wall of the canal suggested the various uses of the water that was flowing in the canal. That the canal served as a storage canal was indicated by the cross-wall joining the north-south walls at the end. By the application of suitable lifting devices water must have been raised from this canal to irrigate the surrounding area (Bhandarkar, 1914-15, pp. 69-71).