ABSTRACT
The history of drainage activities in north-western South Asia during the Bronze Age falls into two broad phases, neither exclusive though. One of the inputs required for large-scale cultivation of fields would be irrigation. The data, which can be processed from the texts, seem to focus on several modes of irrigating the fields, the rains, irrigation channels and irrigation wells. Other modes of surface irrigation relate to short distance over ground channel connected with a river and long distance underground channel carrying water from foothill wells or fountains to distant fields. Apart from overground and underground channels, two other devices for tapping underground water are also on view. In one of these devices, water was lifted from deep wells with the help of suction pumps. The droughts were so severe that on several occasions the Vedic speakers organized sacrifices which were to continue till the gods became pleased and allowed the rains to come down.
