2. Kunds/Kundis:


Essentially a circular underground well, kunds have a saucer-shaped catchment area that gently slopes towards the centre where the well is situated. A wire mesh across water inlets prevents debris from falling into the well-pit.

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3. Tankas:


Tankas were often beautifully decorated with tiles, which helped to keep the water cool. The water was used only for drinking. If in any year there was less than normal rainfall and the tankas did not get filled, water from nearby wells and tanks would be obtained to fill the household tankas.

In this way, the people of Bikaner were able to meet their water requirements. The tanka system is also to be found in the pilgrim town of Dwarka where it has been in existence for centuries. It continues to be used in residential areas, temples, dharamshalas and hotels.

4. Eri:

The kings of the South India had built small and large open tanks called Eris, and ponds and lakes. These tanks, temple ponds and lakes formed a complete collection and storage system. If a tank overflowed, the water would flow through a canal to another tank at a lower level.

Approximately one- third of the irrigated area of Tamil Nadu is watered by Eris (tanks). Eris have played several important roles in maintaining ecological harmony as flood- control systems, preventing soil erosion and wastage of run-off during periods of heavy rainfall, and recharging the groundwater in the surrounding areas.

The presence of Eris provided an appropriate micro­climate for the local areas. Without eris, paddy cultivation would have been impossible. Till the Britishers arrived, local communities maintained Eris. Historical data from Chengalpattu district, for instance, indicates that in the 18th century about 4-5 per cent of the gross produce of each village was allocated to maintain Eris and other irrigation structures.

Assignments of revenue-free lands, called manyams, were made to support village functionaries who undertook to maintain and manage Eris. These allocations ensured eri upkeep through regular desilting and maintenance of sluices, inlets and irrigation channels.

The early British rule witnessed disastrous experiments with the land tenure system in quest for larger land revenues. The enormous expropriation of village resources by the state led to the disintegration of the traditional society, its economy and polity. Allocations for maintenance of Eris could no longer be supported by the village communities, and these extraordinary water harvesting systems began to decline.

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