Syllabus

• Module 1
• ● Introduction to Hydrology in Ancient India
• ● Overview of the importance of water management in ancient Indian society.
• ● Introduction to key texts and archaeological evidence related to water management.
• ● Comparative analysis of ancient Indian and global hydrological practices.

• Module 2
• ● Philosophical Foundations of Water Management in IKS
• ● Role of water in Vedic and post-Vedic literature.
• ● Concepts of natural resource management in Dharmaśāstra and Arthaśāstra.
• ● Water as a sacred element: Cultural and spiritual dimensions.

• Module 3
• ● Hydrological Cycle in Ancient Indian Texts
• ● Interpretation of the hydrological cycle in Rigveda, Mahabharata, and Ramayana.
• ● The role of Varaha Mihira and other scholars in systematizing water management.
• ● Understanding the conceptual aspect of hydrological cycle in Indian mythology.

• Module 4
• ● Traditional Water Harvesting Techniques
• ● Overview of traditional water harvesting structures: tanks, wells, and stepwells.
• ● Case studies from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
• ● Design principles and ecological considerations in traditional structures.

• Module 5
• ● Irrigation Systems in the Indus Valley Civilization
• ● Analysis of the irrigation systems at Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dholavira.
• ● Role of the Indus River in supporting agriculture and urban life.
• ● Sustainable water management practices in the Indus Valley.

• Module 6
• ● Dams and Reservoirs in Ancient India
• ● Examination of the construction and function of ancient dams.
• ● Case studies of Sudarshana Lake and other significant reservoirs.
• ● Engineering principles and long-term sustainability of ancient dams.

• Module 7
• ● Water Supply and Urban Planning in Ancient Cities
• ● Water supply systems in ancient cities like Varanasi, Pataliputra, and Ujjain.
• ● Integration of water supply with urban planning.
• ● Comparison with contemporary water supply systems.

• Module 8
• ● Flood Management in Ancient India
• ● Understanding flood control mechanisms in ancient India.
• ● Case studies of flood management strategies in the Gangetic Plains.
• ● Philosophical and practical approaches to flood mitigation.

• Module 9
• ● Groundwater Management in Ancient India
• ● Techniques for identifying and utilizing groundwater resources.
• ● Use of aquifers and qanats in ancient Indian water systems.
• ● Sustainable practices in groundwater management.

• Module 10
• ● Sanitation and Wastewater Management
• ● Examination of sanitation practices in the Indus Valley and later periods.
• ● Historical development of wastewater management technologies.
• ● Environmental and health implications of ancient sanitation practices.

• Module 11
• ● The Role of Water in Agriculture
• ● Agricultural strategies and water management in ancient India.
• ● Multicropping, intercropping, and their relationship with water management.
• ● Impact of water availability on agricultural productivity.

• Module 12
• ● Water and Sacred Geography
• ● The role of rivers and water bodies in shaping sacred landscapes.
• ● Pilgrimage sites and the ritual importance of water.
• ● Case studies of sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarasvati.

• Module 13
• ● Legal and Administrative Aspects of Water Management
• ● Water rights and management in ancient Indian legal texts.
• ● Role of the state and local communities in managing water resources.
• ● Conflict resolution and water-sharing practices.

• Module 14
• ● Technological Innovations in Ancient Hydrology
• ● Overview of ancient Indian technologies related to water management.
• ● Innovations in canal building, stepwells, and rainwater harvesting.
• ● Transfer of knowledge and its adaptation in different regions.

• Module 15
• ● Water and Public Works in Ancient India
• ● Examination of public works related to water management in ancient India.
• ● Role of kings and local rulers in initiating water-related infrastructure.
• ● Case studies of significant public works projects.

• Module 16
• ● Impact of Climate on Water Management
• ● Historical impact of climatic changes on water management strategies.
• ● Adaptation to monsoon variability and drought conditions.
• ● Lessons for contemporary water management in the context of climate change.

• Module 17
• ● Water Conservation Strategies
• ● Traditional methods of water conservation in different regions.
• ● Role of community participation in water conservation.
• ● Analysis of the effectiveness of ancient water conservation strategies.

• Module 18
• ● Water in Ancient Indian Literature and Arts
• ● Representation of water in ancient Indian literature, including epics and Puranas.
• ● Symbolism of water in Indian arts and architecture.
• ● Influence of water-related themes in temple design and sculpture.

• Module 19
• ● Water and Sustainability in Buddhist and Jain Traditions
• ● Water management practices in Buddhist monasteries and Jain communities.
• ● Philosophical approaches to water and sustainability in these traditions.
• ● Integration of water management with spiritual practices.

• Module 20
• ● Historical Development of Water Law in India
• ● Evolution of water laws from ancient to medieval periods.
• ● Role of customary laws and their enforcement.
• ● Comparison with modern water laws and policies.

• Module 21
• ● Hydraulic Engineering in Ancient India
• ● Exploration of ancient Indian hydraulic engineering techniques.
• ● Case studies of significant hydraulic structures.
• ● Influence of Indian hydraulic engineering on other civilizations.

• Module 22
• ● Case Study: Water Management in the Mauryan Empire
• ● Detailed analysis of water management strategies during the Mauryan period.
• ● Role of state policy in ensuring water security.
• ● Ashoka's contributions to water management.

• Module 23
• ● Water Management in the Vijayanagara Empire
• ● Study of water management in the Vijayanagara Empire.
• ● Role of the state and local communities in managing water resources.
• ● Analysis of the impact of water management on the empire's sustainability.

• Module 24
• ● Modern Relevance of Ancient Water Management Practices
• ● Exploration of how ancient water management techniques can be applied today.
• ● Case studies of successful modern applications of traditional practices.
• ● Challenges and opportunities in integrating ancient knowledge with modern technology.

• Module 25
• ● Water and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• ● Aligning ancient Indian water management practices with the United Nations SDGs.
• ● Contributions of traditional knowledge to global water sustainability.
• ● Strategies for promoting ancient practices in contemporary water management.

• Module 26
• ● Interdisciplinary Approaches to Studying Ancient Hydrology
• ● Integration of archaeology, hydrology, and environmental science.
• ● Use of modern technology to study ancient water management systems.
• ● Collaboration between historians, engineers, and environmental scientists.

• Module 27
• ● Comparative Study of Water Management in Different Civilizations
• ● Comparative analysis of water management practices in ancient India, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China.
• ● Understanding the unique features and shared principles.
• ● Lessons for modern water management from ancient global practices.

• Module 28
• ● Study: Visiting/Viewing Documentaries on Ancient Water Management Sites
• ● Understanding significant water management sites in India (e.g., Rani ki Vav, Dholavira, Chand Baori).
• ● Practical analysis of the design, construction, and sustainability of these structures.
• ● Reflection on the experience and its relevance to contemporary water management.

• Module 29
• ● Case Study: Reviving Ancient Water Management Practices
• ● Study of one or two instances of the revival of an ancient water management practice in a modern context.
• ● Analysis of the feasibility, benefits, and challenges of implementation in other places.

• Module 30
• ● Conclusion and Future Directions
• ● Recap of key learnings from the course.
• ● Discussion on the future of water management in India and the role of IKS.
• ● Reflection on how traditional knowledge can contribute to sustainable water management globally.