ABSTRACT
India, being the cradle of one of the oldest civilisations, has a long history of exploration and use of groundwater resources. Initially, the civilisation was established close to perennial rivers like the Indus and Ganga (Ganges). Later on, due to the spread of civilisation away from major perennial rivers into the valleys of smaller seasonal rivers and streams, groundwater became an important source for drinking water supply and for irrigation. Even in those days it was known that groundwater was of better quality than surface water and hence better for drinking purposes. By the side of a flowing river, women used to dig small pits in the sandy banks, a few meters away from the river and take filtered water in their pots for domestic use. This practice has continued till today.
The Holy Vedic Scriptures dating back to 8000 BC have references to dug wells or open wells fitted with a wooden pulley and rope attached to an earthen pot. Dug wells have also been mentioned in the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The technique of siting suitable locations for wells date back up to Manu (1000 BC), while in the 4th century AD, a sage named Varah Mihir from Magadh (presently the State of Bihar in India) prepared the first text-book, named ‘Drikgargal Shastra’, on locating wells. This book is included in ‘Bhrugu Samhita’ and its printed editions are available
