The water harvesting system of Dholavira
Explain the water harvesting system of Dholavira?
Dholavira, of all the Harappan sites, was endowed with the most efficient system of water harvesting and storage in the form of reservoirs, in the absence of continuous rivers, lakes or springs in its environment, where the subsurface water is larger in aggregate, dazzling. It seems that much attention would have been given to a site like Dholavira on an ideal location between two seasonal rivulets, Manhar and Mansar. The architects of Dholavira may have conceptualized an astonishing harmony of dams and tanks for water management, by preserving every drop of water that flowed into contiguous streams after rain; Or else, such a large city would not have developed in an area where drought and famine are so common.
The Dholavira Harappans, in their prime, built about sixteen reservoirs of varying dimensions within the city walls along the northern, western and southern sides of the main settlement and up to the main settlement of the citadel. The Harappans were extremely conscientious in zealously storing the maximum amount of water, or rather, the entire amount of water that flows in the streams that flow after the rains. A casual rough estimate suggests that about 17 hectares, i.e. 36% of the total encircled area alone was appropriated for the storage of water obtained from the streams by erecting several dams, which would be at least three or more in Manhar. There are four.
Two or three across Mansar in the south and north. In addition, there may be some inlet channels piercing through the city walls to bring in surface runoff. It is worth noting that the 64 gradient between the higher northeast and lower southwest area of the city is 13 meters, which is an ideal position for the reservoir. Of these, the reservoir to the east of the palace has 31 steps from top to bottom and is a marvel of technique and effort, whose embankments and stairs were built in stone masonry. It is 24 meters wide and varies between 7.5 and 5 meters in depth. Another reservoir near the annex, to the south of the palace, has an exposition 95 meters in length and about 10 meters in width. Depth varies from 2 to 4 m. This is the oldest rock cut example of a reservoir ever found.
#History #UPSC #BPSC #StatePSC #SSC