A History of Agriculture in India v2.c65.s3.2

v2.c65.s3.2

The inscription also gives general specifications for the selection of a tank site and its construction. It enumerates the following twelve requisites for a good tank. Firstly, a righteous king, wealthy, happy and desirous of acquiring fame. A person well versed in ‘pathas shastra’ (hydrology). Hard soil in the bed of the tank. A river with sweet water with a course of about 38.6 km. Two projecting portions of hills. Between these projecting portions of hills a dam built of compact stone, not too long but firm. The two extremities of the hills should be devoid of fruit-bearing trees. The bed of the tank should be extensive and deep. Presence of a quarry nearby, containing straight and long stones. Fertile, low and level land in the neighbourhood to be irrigated. A watercourse with strong eddies in the mountain region. Lastly, masons, skilled in the art of tank construction.