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Ancient Irrigation System of Dry and Intermediate Zones As Revealed from Ancient Canals

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Ancient Irrigation System of Dry and Intermediate Zones As Revealed from Ancient Canals Withanachchi. Rajarata University Journal 2015, 3: 4 -16 REVIEW Ancient irrigation system of dry and intermediate zones as revealed from ancient canals C.R. Withanachchi Dept. of Archeology and Heritage Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka [email protected] Abstract The ancient irrigation system was a result of experiences. Irrigation systems meet its maximum level effectively and efficiently through this experience based establishment. Role of the canal was more centric by the means of connecting people with the tanks and dams. The reason for that was the water of the tanks and dams influxes in to fields by the canals. Many evidences about canals can found from literary sources and the inscriptions. In addition to this, records on ruined canals are available as well. When examining these data it is clear that there had been a unified irrigation system linked by canals in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. In the operational level canals behaved as veins transmitting water from one end to another end or to many ends. It was not an isolated structure that existed on earth surface, but a main part of complex system. Especially it has a inter and intra role in cultural systems - ecological systems. Operational system of canals was formed considering these same roles. In this research it is expected to do an examination about the ancient canals and their operation in the dry zone. Key words: Water management, Irrigation, Agriculture Introduction from a tank, turning water from a dam, carrying water through inter valleys, When studying the origin of the canals of irrigation for agriculture, urban water ancient Sri Lanka, evidence could be supply, micro water supply, carrying unearthed through inscriptions and water for distant places and additional literary sources. In the inscriptions, the water supply. canals are introduced as Adi 1,2, Ala 3, Alå 3 and Ali 3. Additionally, archaeological There is evidence on the use of special evidence can be found through ruined techniques for construction of these canals of ancient irrigation system of the canals. Of them, carefulness about the Island. Some of these canals had been topography is a very important factor. It is reconstructed and re used and many clear that they had paid special attention objectives can be identified for their use. on the fields like elevation, contour Priority had been given to, issuing of water system, slope, methods of getting water, 04 Withanachchi. Rajarata University Journal 2015, 3: 4 -16 how and where to irrigate, condition of the other4 . Emergence and development of the canal and protection etc. Environment Sri Lankan dry zone irrigation can be friendliness can be counted as a studied and explained with this scenario characteristic feature of the ancient canals of interconnection between its systems. system. It can be identified that these canals have given a great support, to keep Collapse of the irrigation systems can be a the dry zone environment cool. possible result of the collapse of the other linked systems that existed up to the Theoretical Framework flourish of water based civilization. The main systems that joined together are Irrigation is an application in the total Buddhist cultural system, Sinhala systems of 'settlements>subsistence 1 tradition, Irrigation system, Agrarian strategy>technology> resource use of system, Social administration system, people. Environmental conditions become Monopoly system and Trade system (local a crucial factor in defining the effectiveness - foreign). The destruction or the jungle and efficiency of any type of irrigation tide came after the collapse of the work. In the case of settlements of dry Polonnaruwa civilization where, one by zone, supply and storage of water was one, of these systems inclusive of highly applicable and also highly relied on. irrigation system got faded. Agricultural subsistence of people is frequently vulnerable to the shortage of Research Methodology water supply. Ancient people employed the regional topography to store, transport This study is based on data collected from and distribute water in order to avoid field surveys. However, historic sources, collapses in the subsistence. The modern research studies and articles on development of the technology and use of ancient irrigation technology and materials for irrigation was dependent on personal communication with resource the availablity of resources. persons who are engaged in with relevant fields referred to, formed the research Due to gradual development of the background. irrigation work , some individual roles such as village leaders, elites or royal Geographical and Environmental family members emerged. With the Background passage of time the irrigation system became the force of cultural development Sri Lanka is situated in the Indian Ocean in the dry zone where several systems between northern latitude 6 and 10, and 5 emerged in its association. For an instance eastern longitude 80 and 82 . Its extent is the taxation system of irrigation not only 65,610 square kilo meters and the length of linked with agrarian system but at the the island from north to south is 432 km other end it dealt with the administration and the width from east to west is 224 km. system (including religious administration, health administration, The geographical condition of the island, etc.), monarchy system and social welfare has directly affected to form different systems. This background is comparable climatic zones. Average annual rainfall with the system theory, forwarded by varies from 900mm. to 6000 mm. The Ludwig Von, in 1940. According to his country is mainly divided into two theory, social activities had activated as geographical areas as dry zone and wet joint systems, by connecting with each zone, depending on the rainfall received. North-east monsoon is between 05 Withanachchi. Rajarata University Journal 2015, 3: 4 -16 December and February and it brings a King Mahasen (274-301AD) who built rainfall of about 250 mm - 500mm. to the Minneri tank, used the Elahera canal for dry zone of the country. In the wet Zone, additional water supply for irrigation. where annual rainfall is higher than 1500 According to Rajawaliya, the King mm, reddish brown soil can be seen. This constructed Talawatu oya making dams soil, which is very suitable for agriculture, for carrying water to the Minneriya tank has directly affected the establishment of through Kara ganga9 . Nicholas 10 also settlements in this zone. There are 103 river reported that this canal can be identified as valleys in the island and out of them 83 the Talawatura oya, that runs towards the valleys are found in the Dry Zone 5, 6. Minneriya tank through Elahera canal. It seems that this oya had been made, as a Investigation of Ancient canals canal to join with Elahera canal so that needed water was issued to the Minneri When giving attention to the ancient canals tank. It is mentioned that, the Rantisa in the dry zone, it seems preferable to Wewa or present Kawudulla tank was investigate the origin of these canals. But done by King Mahasen9 . Water supply for according to their usage, some of them this tank, may have started from Elahera seem to be connected inter valleys. In this dam and reconstructed in the period of research, attention was paid on the ancient King Wasabha. Adams, Churchhil and canals relating to Mahaweli Ganga, Kala Baily11 have pointed that the water for Oya, Malwatu Oya, Deduru Oya and Yan Kawudulla tank was taken from the canal, Oya. that started from the stone spillway, placed from the east, between two stone spillways Canals relating to Mahaweli ganga and its in the north part of the Minneri tank. So, the tributaries canal of the west part can be identified as The canal, starting from Elahera dam, the second part of Elahera canal. historically a very old dam of Sri Lanka, Elahera canal, had been used to construct was the main source of irrigation for Gangatala vapi or Kantale tank and agriculture, that was needed in the mid 7 Giritata vapi or Giritale tank by King portion of North central and Eastern Aggabodhi II, because the main water provinces. It is mentioned in the ways of both these tanks had been based Mahawamsa, that the water tax of this from Elahera canal. A separate water way canal, which was collected first by King from Elahera canal, had been pointed to the Wasabha (67-111AD), had been offered to 7 Giritale tank and this point at present is the Muchela vihara of Tiswadaman . It is identified as the Diya Beduma. For the proved that this Elahera canal was Kantale tank, water is supplied through the constructed to a length of about 48 Km in Minneri tank. Accordingly, the total the period itself of King Wasabha, because length of Elahera canal can be identified as this viharaya (temple) is situated in the about 87.7 kilometers. Also King present Kawudulla area. It is clear that, by Wijayabahu I (1055-1110AD) and King this Elahera canal water would have been Parakramabahu I (1153-1186AD) have issued up to Kawudulla area, for many reconstructed this canal. centuries, prior to the construction of tanks 8 like Minneriya and Kawudulla. Nicholas The water of Elahera dam was issued to also has put forward an idea that the large tanks, as well as agricultural lands, Alisara canal must have been constructed situated in the related areas. Going before Minneri and Giritale tanks. through ancient investigation reports, 11 06 Withanachchi. Rajarata University Journal 2015, 3: 4 -16 Brohier12 has mentioned that, there had The main purpose of constructing the been many of stone water gates of sub canal, starting from Angammedilla dam, canals, in several places of Elahera canal. the second dam built across Amban Perhaps, getting water of Elahera canal for ganga, was to supply water to the several needs, the water sent from the dam, Parakrama Samudra and the near by tanks.
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