1. Prachin Bharatiya Jala Shastra
Edited & Compiled By Dr.A.S.Nene
20 July 2010

2. Table of Contents
SN Title Pages
1 Introduction 1-6
2 Ancient Indian References 7-13
3 Properties of water 14-15
4 Jala Shashtra
4.1 Storage of water
16-29
4.2 Supply or Distribution
4.3 Drainage of water
5 Water divining 30-38
6 Pollution of water 39-41
7 Hydraulic Machines 42-44
8 Forecast of Rainfall & Measurement 45-51
9 References 52-57
Appendix 1- Libraries and Book Sellers i-ii
Appendix 2- Maps of India iii-vii
Appendix 3- 100 Sanskrit names viii-ix
Appendix 4- Tank completion report x-xii

3. Read this book to know that;
•King Bhagirath was the first irrigation engineer,
who developed a network of rivers and canals in
north India.
•Sage Kashypa reclaimed the water-logged land of
Kashmir by dewatering and hence the land is known
as "Kashypa Mir" or Kashmir.
•Varahmihir was the first hydrologist to develop a
science (Dakargal) to predict underground aquifers,
based on surface indicators, such as trees, plants,
creepers, grass, terrariums, hibernating animals
etc.
•Ancient text "Kadambini" describes forecasting of
rains based on certain natural symptoms. (Insects,
birds, animals, flora of trees etc.)

4. •Varahmihir developed method to predict rain
fall, based on astronomy.
•Sage Vashishtha and Sage Bhrugu were the
first divine engineers to describe properties of
flowing and steady water.
•Vedic hymns praise the deity of water.
Water mills were first developed in India and
later the technique was used by Persians
(Persian well)
•Kautilya gave guideline for construction of
dams, canal, wells, pollution prevention etc.
•An ancient text "Nighantu" mentions one
hundred meaningful names of water.

5. 2. Ancient Indian Literature
2.1 Vedic Period 3000 - 5000 BC
Sources of water

6. 2.2 Post Vedic Period
Rishi Narad asks Yudhishitira
“Are the dams full of water and big enough and well
Distributed in different parts of the kingdom, and whether
agriculture depends only on rain water?" Naradniti

7. Ponds & Tanks
Arch Bridges
Water Forts
River Forts
Chapters of Narad Shilpashashtra

8. 3. PROPERTIES OF WATER
3.1 Twelve properties of Flowing Water
Weight of a body suspended in water is
Equivalent to weight of water of volume same
As submerged portion. (Archimedes Principle).

9. 3.2 Static Water
The water pressure is equivalent to its weight.
The banks should be sloping to reduce the
damage due to waves.

10. 4. JALASHSHASTRA TECHNIQUES
The three Vidya or Techniques of this Shastra are;
ØStorage of water –Stambhan
ØWater Supply/ Distribution – Sanchetan
ØDrainage / Dewatering - Samharan

11. Ten types of tanks

12. 5. WATER DIVINING IN ANCIENT INDIA
Varahmihir (505 C.E- 587 C.E),
The indicators for aquifers are
üSpecific trees, plants,
üherbs and grasses
üHibernating animals (Enjoying winter sleep-
frogs, lizards, snakes, alligators and tortoises)
üAnthills (Terrariums)

13. 84 Botanical names of trees mentioned in
Brihat Samhita Chapter 54
B01 Calamas rotang Rattan (Cane)
B84 Dalbergia latifolia Sissoo tree

14. 6. POLLUTION OF WATER
Maintenance of water bodies
Treatment of Well water

15. 7. HYDRAULIC MACHINES

16. 8 METHODS OF FORECASTING RAIN
Normal rainy season
Quantity of rainfall in different regions

17. 18 Ancient References
67 Modern references
Appendix 1 -List of Libraries Sources in India
Appendix 2- Glossary of Terms and Ancient
Measures of Liquids
Appendix 3 -100 Sanskrit Names of water
Appendix 4- 18th Century report on Rajasagar tank

18. Contact
For any suggestions
Dr.A.S.Nene
M4 Laxmi Nagar,
Nagpur (India) 440022
Email: nene_ashok@yahoo.com