Tanks
By K. Narasimhulu
Summary
The Vijayanagara rulers prioritized irrigation infrastructure in the Kadapa region, constructing tanks, canals, and sluices to address water scarcity and support agriculture. This study analyzes medieval inscriptions from Kadapa, revealing systematic efforts by the state and private individuals to build irrigation systems. The Vijayanagara period saw significant tank construction, guided by hydrological principles and religious merit, as outlined in ancient texts like the Puranas and Smritis. Key examples include the Porumamilla Tank (1369 AD), built under Bukka I, and others in Sunkesala, Indukuru, and Ravulakolanu. These projects followed detailed engineering protocols, such as those prescribed in the Jalasastra, and involved large-scale labor and resources. The inscriptions highlight the socio-religious importance of water conservation, with tank construction viewed as a virtuous act. Despite Kadapa’s challenging geography—black cotton soil in some areas and reliance on seasonal rains—the Vijayanagara administration successfully implemented irrigation networks that remain functional centuries later. The study emphasizes the enduring legacy of these systems, which sustained agricultural activities and demonstrated advanced hydraulic engineering for their time.
Conclusion
The study of tank irrigation under the Vijayanagara rulers in the Kadapa region reveals a sophisticated and enduring hydraulic legacy. The rulers and their subjects constructed numerous tanks, canals, and sluices, following meticulous engineering principles derived from ancient texts like the *Jalasastra*. These efforts were driven by both religious merit and practical necessity, as agriculture was central to the region's economy and survival. The *Puranas* and *Smritis* emphasized the spiritual and social benefits of water conservation, while the state prioritized irrigation to maximize land revenue and stabilize food production. Inscriptions from the 14th to 16th centuries document the construction of large-scale projects, such as the *Pōrumāmiḷḷa Tank*, which supplied water to over sixty villages and remains partially functional today. The use of hard stone embankments and precise hydraulic techniques underscores the advanced engineering capabilities of the era. Despite Kadapa's challenging geography—marked by