Irrigation & Water Resources Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh

Description of water resources like wells, canals and dams could be seen at many places in Vedas. In Rig-Veda description of wells, kavat could easily be seen at many places. Water from well, used to be fetched from wheels made of stone, in which container is tied to rope. Wells were not only used to fetch the water for daily use of humans and animals, but were also used for irrigation too. In Rig-Veda word ‘Awta’ is also mentioned which is the symbol of Well. In other hymn word ‘Kulya’ is being mentioned, which means ‘Artificial Canal.’ In Yajurveda one can see the description of ‘digging of canals.’ Even Guru of Devas ‘Brahaspati’ had said that repairing and modification of dams and canals is a holy practice and rich society of state should take its responsibility. Whole this history clears that irrigation sources have always been an important part of civilization and livelihood.

Around 3150 B.C. many epics described the irrigation farming since the time of Mahabharat. When Rishiraj Narad visited King Yudhisthir’s state to meet him in this context, then he questioned him about the condition of farmers in his state, that whether they are healthy or not?