Socio-Political Dynamics of Tank Building in 17th-18th Century Bengaluru
By K. Anuroop Tantry
Summary
This study examines tank-building practices near Bengaluru during the 17th-18th centuries, analyzing their socio-political and economic context amid regional turmoil following the Vijayanagara Empire's decline. The period was marked by conflicts between local chieftains, the Bijapur Sultanate, Marathas, Mughals, and the Mysore Wodeyars. Tank construction, notably through innovations like *Kattu koduge* (Kannada) and *Dasavanda* (Telugu), served as a form of "rural development entrepreneurship," reflecting the era's political and economic challenges. Tank-building traditions in South India date back to ancient times, with literary references in texts like the *Manusmriti* and *Arthashastra*, and archaeological evidence from the Mauryan period. Medieval South India saw a proliferation of tanks, driven by agrarian expansion and the need for reliable irrigation in semi-arid regions. The Vijayanagara Empire (15th-16th centuries) institutionalized tank construction to stabilize revenue and agricultural productivity, a practice later emulated by regional powers. In Karnataka, tanks were crucial for reclaiming barren and fallow lands, enabling cultivation in non-riverine areas. The state offered tax concessions to encourage such projects, fostering agrarian growth and decentralized governance. Bengaluru's historical context, with its semi-arid climate and dependence on seasonal rainfall, made tanks vital for sustaining agriculture and supporting rural economies. The study highlights how tank-building dynamics shaped regional politics, economic strategies, and social structures during this turbulent period.
Conclusion
This study examines the socio-political implications of tank construction in Bengaluru during the 17th-18th centuries, a period marked by the decline of Vijayanagara authority and competing powers like the Bijapur Sultanate, Marathas, and Mysore Wodeyars. It highlights how tank-building practices, such as *Kattu koduge* and *Dasavanda*, served as tools of rural development and political legitimacy, enabling agrarian expansion and revenue generation amid regional instability. The analysis underscores the interconnectedness of water management, land reclamation, and socio-economic stratification, demonstrating how tank construction facilitated cultivation in semi-arid zones and reinforced decentralized governance structures. The findings also reveal the enduring legacy of medieval water conservation traditions in shaping South India’s agrarian economies and regional power dynamics.