History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c32.s2.t8.11

v1.c32.s2.t8.11

Water-divination: If we are to take water divination as part of well irrigation, then we may say that water-divination is an important and independent science practised in ancient India to locate and avail the water sources from the subterranean region. The expression dakārgala means a branch of science dealing with water locked up or imprisoned in the bowls of the earth. Those who practised this science were known as kūpadarśakas. They leaked out a living by private practice for they paid taxes. It is believed that they might have been working as inspectors of wells in those days.