Editing Hydromanagement in Ancient India (section)

=== '''Tamilakam: A Centralized State and Initiatives''' ===
Among the major eras of South India, the Cholas made an enormous contribution to the management of water for the kingdom's populace. During the reign of the Cholas, effective irrigation facilities were established. According to the amount of land, rules were established for water consumption so that no water is wasted. It was common, when selling or donating property, to specify in the papers which rivers, lakes, and tanks were utilised for irrigation. According to legend, Vira Rajendra Chola was important in establishing banks on both sides of the Cauvery. When it was impossible to create new rivers, the Cholas constructed enormous lakes. From Sendalai inscriptions, we learn that Parantaka sent donations to the Amankudi Jain community for the upkeep of Virasikamani Lake (AllurAlachikkudi). From the inscription, we also learn that Arambavir was given the responsibility of preserving the lake. The majority of the Kaveri River's canals, including the Uyyakondan canal, Rajendran vaykkal, and SembianMahadedegvivaykkal, are part of this system. There was a well established and effective water management system from the village level up. The rise in royal sponsorship and the number of devadana and bramadeya lands elevated the role of temples and village assemblies on the battlefield. Committees such as eri-variyam and totta-variyam were active, as were temples with their great resources of land, personnel, and money. Parantaka Chola established the Viranameri Lake at Kattumannarkoil in the South Arcot area during this time period. Even now, this lake appears to be a vital source of irrigation. In his capital city, Gangaikondacolapuram, Rajendra Chola constructed the massive Solagangam reservoir, which was characterized as "the liquid pillar of triumph." It was equipped with sluices and canals in order to irrigate the land in the surrounding districts. Madurantakam, Sundra-cholapereri, and Kundavai-Pereri are other well-known lakes from this era (named after a Chola queen). Moreover, during the Chola period, a special board was established for the upkeep of lakes across Chola territory, with members receiving wages as fees. Additionally, in order to assist the board and maintain records, officers were selected. They were compensated for their labor. Additionally, they were known as "intermediaries." For one year, they were provided with four nali paddies every day, seven Kalanju gold pieces, and one dhoti. Additionally, tax-free land and supplies were donated as gifts for the upkeep of the lakes. Additionally, a tax called the "ayam" was imposed. Rajaraja I (985–1014 C.E.) constructed several water bodies and made numerous upkeep arrangements for them. He made significant contributions by establishing several committees to examine the wellbeing of the cattle and the advancement of agriculture. Among other things, he emphasized water sharing and harvesting. From Purananuru, we learn that the monarchs who preserved the water sources would also be the people's saviors. Based on this, he constructed the Uyyakkondan canal, which was one of his titles. Thus, water management was carried out with precision. Among the numerous accomplishments of Rajaraja I, the Mayanur canals stood out. Mayanur is located on the Cauvery's southern bank, west of Kulittalai. He constructed a channel at Mayanur to provide irrigation to Palaiyur, Analai, Pulivalam, and Somarasampettai, which were located in the Trichy district on the southern bank of the Cauvery. The channel was extended to Eriyur's location and joined to it. According to the Tiruvalangadu Copper Plates, Rajendra Chola (1012–1044 CE) constructed CholaGangam, also known as Ponneri, next to Gangaikondacholapuram to commemorate his conquest of the Ganges. After he conquered the Ganges, he carried the river's water to the lake. Needed water was transported from Kollidam to Ponneri by a canal named after his father, Rajaraja I. During the Cholas' rule, these laws and regulations were amended, polished, and implemented in the harshest terms. The copper plate inscriptions of Tiruvalankatu, which date back to the sixth year of Rajendra Cholan I's reign (1018 A.D.), are among the greatest instances of water management. The land of the donated village (Devadana village) will be irrigated by canals dug in accordance with the quantity of water allocated from these canals. Others who are not tenants of Devadana properties are prohibited from cutting branches or constructing dams across waterways. Individuals and the government of India had a significant role in arranging irrigation in regions where they were responsible for a significant portion of the country's water requirements. They spent enormous sums of money desilting existing lakes, restoring old ones, and excavating new tanks to provide a consistent water supply for all the canals. Immediately after the building of lakes, several uncultivated regions were cultivated (Selvamani, 2019)<sup>28</sup>.