Article on TQM system of ancient lakes through inscriptions and ancient texts Following Paper is presented during the brainstorming seminor on revival of ancientlakes & water bodies at Bharthy dassan Univercity- Centre for remote sensing
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF ANCIENT LAKES THROUGH INSCRIPTIONS AND ANCIENT TEXTS
KEY WORKDS: ANCIENT TEXTS AND INSCRIPTIONS, WATER GOVERNANCE,
REVIVAL OF ANCIENT LAKES, PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTERSHIP My special thanks to Dr.SR.ramaswamy-Bharthi Dassan university-centre for remote sensing, Dr.S.Vasanthi- State Archealogy Department Tamilnadu, Dr.Kannan - Water Technology centre for eastern region
ABSTRACT: Total quality management system of ancient lakes through inscriptions and ancient texts which may be helpful for future planning of revival of our ancient lakes for better storage of excess flood water and rainwater management for irrigation and drinking water purpose. As for the study says there are lot of evidences and informations from medieval inscriptions and ancient text mentioned about planning, implementation, restoration, conservations, preservation , management and distribution of water through ancient lakes. The essence can be taken from the above subject for better planning of storage of water under our National Lake Conservation Plan under Ministry of Environment. Already 62 lakes selected from the 1800 water bodies in India for revival of lakes.
In Tamilnadu, more than 200 ancient manmade lakes developed under various Chola, Pandiva and Pallava kings. Even Chola kings restored 8 th century lakes during 10th to 14th century through Lakes Board ( Yeri Variyum) and also donated lands for self sustainable of maintenance of particular lakes and also levied taxes for managing the lakes. Further research on this subject can highlight more for resolving the crisis which, we are facing for the past years. Linking of lakes and inlet for excess flood water will give a solution for future as mentioned by our ancient text and inscriptions.
MEDIVEAL INSCRIPTIONS AND ANCIENT TEXTS MENTIONED ABOUT WATER GOVERNANCE THROUGH LAKES There are around 60,000 inscriptions are published in India by various archaeological department. Out of which, 25,000 inscriptions are from Tamilnadu. Most of the inscriptions are found nearby temples and nearby ancient lakes. Even ancient habitats are found in Gudiyam caves nearby Poondy reservoir at near Chennai. Sangam literatures(about 2381 by 473 poets) also mention about water management even for planning of lakes mentioned in Purananuru which, tells about construction of lakes should be like 8th day of moon which may take more water for storing in the lakes.
MEDIEVAL INSCRIPTIONS ABOUT WATER GOVERNANCE The kings of Chola, Pandiya and Pallava are more concern about creating a lake with local participations through Yeri Variyum ( First recorded in inscriptions in the year of 878) under the patrons of local personalities. Even the strict rules and regulations were followed by the locals for maintaining and proper distribution of water for their mutual.
Total quality management system was adopted in various level of stages related to construction of lakes and maintenance of lakes. Government allotted lands for self sustainable of such lakes and also levied taxes for maintaining the lakes. Three types of lakes were prepared for better distribution systems like Kalingu fixed lakes which can be used for getting excess flood water from perennial rivers for distribution to the nearby auyacut areas. Yangal were fixed for excess water from the lakes can be irrigated to other areas and Kuttam like Karigaikuttam developed at uttharamurur were fixed for storing water. Even parameters for distribution of water were adopted even 1000 years back. Even a mention about the restoration of lakes in 12 century which was constructed during 8 th century revenue department of Cholas at Manomayan lake at Periyakulam of Nanguneri taluk of Thirunelvel district is found in inscriptions.
VALUES OF ANCIENT LAKES South India was well known for tank irrigation system and there are a number of lakes, many of which might go well back to the beginning of Iron Age. It has been noticed that the Megalithic sites and burials are found clustering around the ancient villages near about the lakes eg. Sanur near Madurantakam lake and Kunratttur lake near Sembarambakkam lake. According to some scholars, tank irrigation system was started by the Megalithic people in South India.
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER BODIES During medieval period, the following boards were fixed for better management of water bodies with local participation. Yeri Variyam (lake board), thotta variyam (horticultural board), panchavara variyam (removing sediment from lakes), Kalani variyam (related to paddy field), Kanaku variyam (accounting for financial managment of lakes) and Kalingu variyam (for sluice management).
India stands as an agrarian country from the 6th-7th century onwards. The Pallavas and the Pandyas were the early dynasties deeply involved in the promotion of agriculture; there by the developed number of water sources. The rivers were intercepted by constructing the dams in between and many sluices, creating the water sources and also assured the supply of water according to the needs of the area and crop. Pallavas were popular for their developing lakes in remote areas and called as 'Kaduvettis". Even some of the lakes were named after the kings and persons who initiated the work like Magendra thadagam lake constructed at Mamandur by Magendravarman, a famous Pallava king. Boats were used for removing sediments and silts from the lakes. Revenue from the villager and donation of lands by the kings also helped in managing the lakes by the lake board ( Yeri variyam). Additional revenue was generated from the tendering of fishing rights to the local communities. The efficient design of lake also mentioned in the ancient text Purananuru (puram 118) by Kapilar. It says that for storing of more water the lake should be constructed as 8th day's moon. Such lake design is common in many lakes of Thirunelvel district. Inscriptions at Perur of coimbatore district in the year of 1224 A.D by Vijayabagu of Kongu Chola dynasty rec
Article on TQM system of ancient lakes through inscriptions and ancient texts Following Paper is presented during the brainstorming seminor on revival of ancientlakes & water bodies at Bharthy dassan Univercity- Centre for remote sensing
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF ANCIENT LAKES THROUGH INSCRIPTIONS AND ANCIENT TEXTS
KEY WORKDS: ANCIENT TEXTS AND INSCRIPTIONS, WATER GOVERNANCE,
REVIVAL OF ANCIENT LAKES, PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTERSHIP My special thanks to Dr.SR.ramaswamy-Bharthi Dassan university-centre for remote sensing, Dr.S.Vasanthi- State Archealogy Department Tamilnadu, Dr.Kannan - Water Technology centre for eastern region
ABSTRACT: Total quality management system of ancient lakes through inscriptions and ancient texts which may be helpful for future planning of revival of our ancient lakes for better storage of excess flood water and rainwater management for irrigation and drinking water purpose. As for the study says there are lot of evidences and informations from medieval inscriptions and ancient text mentioned about planning, implementation, restoration, conservations, preservation , management and distribution of water through ancient lakes. The essence can be taken from the above subject for better planning of storage of water under our National Lake Conservation Plan under Ministry of Environment. Already 62 lakes selected from the 1800 water bodies in India for revival of lakes.
In Tamilnadu, more than 200 ancient manmade lakes developed under various Chola, Pandiva and Pallava kings. Even Chola kings restored 8 th century lakes during 10th to 14th century through Lakes Board ( Yeri Variyum) and also donated lands for self sustainable of maintenance of particular lakes and also levied taxes for managing the lakes. Further research on this subject can highlight more for resolving the crisis which, we are facing for the past years. Linking of lakes and inlet for excess flood water will give a solution for future as mentioned by our ancient text and inscriptions.
MEDIVEAL INSCRIPTIONS AND ANCIENT TEXTS MENTIONED ABOUT WATER GOVERNANCE THROUGH LAKES There are around 60,000 inscriptions are published in India by various archaeological department. Out of which, 25,000 inscriptions are from Tamilnadu. Most of the inscriptions are found nearby temples and nearby ancient lakes. Even ancient habitats are found in Gudiyam caves nearby Poondy reservoir at near Chennai. Sangam literatures(about 2381 by 473 poets) also mention about water management even for planning of lakes mentioned in Purananuru which, tells about construction of lakes should be like 8th day of moon which may take more water for storing in the lakes.
MEDIEVAL INSCRIPTIONS ABOUT WATER GOVERNANCE The kings of Chola, Pandiya and Pallava are more concern about creating a lake with local participations through Yeri Variyum ( First recorded in inscriptions in the year of 878) under the patrons of local personalities. Even the strict rules and regulations were followed by the locals for maintaining and proper distribution of water for their mutual.
Total quality management system was adopted in various level of stages related to construction of lakes and maintenance of lakes. Government allotted lands for self sustainable of such lakes and also levied taxes for maintaining the lakes. Three types of lakes were prepared for better distribution systems like Kalingu fixed lakes which can be used for getting excess flood water from perennial rivers for distribution to the nearby auyacut areas. Yangal were fixed for excess water from the lakes can be irrigated to other areas and Kuttam like Karigaikuttam developed at uttharamurur were fixed for storing water. Even parameters for distribution of water were adopted even 1000 years back. Even a mention about the restoration of lakes in 12 century which was constructed during 8 th century revenue department of Cholas at Manomayan lake at Periyakulam of Nanguneri taluk of Thirunelvel district is found in inscriptions.
VALUES OF ANCIENT LAKES South India was well known for tank irrigation system and there are a number of lakes, many of which might go well back to the beginning of Iron Age. It has been noticed that the Megalithic sites and burials are found clustering around the ancient villages near about the lakes eg. Sanur near Madurantakam lake and Kunratttur lake near Sembarambakkam lake. According to some scholars, tank irrigation system was started by the Megalithic people in South India.
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER BODIES During medieval period, the following boards were fixed for better management of water bodies with local participation. Yeri Variyam (lake board), thotta variyam (horticultural board), panchavara variyam (removing sediment from lakes), Kalani variyam (related to paddy field), Kanaku variyam (accounting for financial managment of lakes) and Kalingu variyam (for sluice management).
India stands as an agrarian country from the 6th-7th century onwards. The Pallavas and the Pandyas were the early dynasties deeply involved in the promotion of agriculture; there by the developed number of water sources. The rivers were intercepted by constructing the dams in between and many sluices, creating the water sources and also assured the supply of water according to the needs of the area and crop. Pallavas were popular for their developing lakes in remote areas and called as 'Kaduvettis". Even some of the lakes were named after the kings and persons who initiated the work like Magendra thadagam lake constructed at Mamandur by Magendravarman, a famous Pallava king. Boats were used for removing sediments and silts from the lakes. Revenue from the villager and donation of lands by the kings also helped in managing the lakes by the lake board ( Yeri variyam). Additional revenue was generated from the tendering of fishing rights to the local communities. The efficient design of lake also mentioned in the ancient text Purananuru (puram 118) by Kapilar. It says that for storing of more water the lake should be constructed as 8th day's moon. Such lake design is common in many lakes of Thirunelvel district. Inscriptions at Perur of coimbatore district in the year of 1224 A.D by Vijayabagu of Kongu Chola dynasty records the
It talks about the lakes and ayacut areas, what about the catchment area? In the inscriptions is there any mention of regulations/restrictions for the construction of building in the catchement area?
The lakes of present days are drying up due to the obstructions of water flow to the lakes from the catchment. Which results in encroachment and disappearing of lakes. If the water flow to the lakes are ensured the lakes can be well preserved.