The Water supply system of Wadas

Image- The Water supply system of Wadas. Image source: Belongs to the respective owner.

Water is an integral part of Hindu beliefs and customs and it is always given a sacred position in the centuries-old civilization of India. The civilization originated and flourished on the banks of the sacred rivers and the influence of the rivers is reflected in all aspects of life. In the hymns of the Vedas, the Puranas, the Upanishads, the epics and the great works of Vedic scholars, the importance of water is often highlighted. Ancient records show the awareness existing in India regarding water conservation and management. The best examples are – Dholavira, the hydraulic system was in the form of wells and interconnected canals. At Shringaverpura, the exposed structure indicated that flood water was diverted from the river. In Maharashtra, at the Chalcolithic site of Inamgaon an example of taming the river by creating embankments to restrict flood water was observed whereas, at Bhon in Buldhana district, a well-constructed canal system was seen. (Image 1 & Image 2)

Image 1: Dholavira A well and interconnected canal PC: Pooja Sonowal, Abhijan Museum

Image 2: Shringaverpura: reservoir built for rainwater harvesting and distillation PC: True Indology

Water management has played a critical role in the development of urbanity. Each dynasty ruling in different parts of India gave importance to city planning and implementing the best possible usage available at that time. They considered it as a responsibility to provide the regular supply of potable and non-potable water to their fellow citizens.

In the medieval period, while developing a township around Pune, Nashik and other places around Maharashtra, Peshwas took under consideration the digging of wells, building of tanks and dams and construction of terracotta and masonry pipes through which water could be supplied. The Muslim rulers in the Deccan had introduced these techniques and Marathas had adopted the same.

The system of cisterns/ reservoirs (Haud), dipping wells (Ucchwas), and underground man-made aqueducts (Nal/ Nahar) were used as the water supply network in Pune, Nasik and other areas. The underground aqueducts played the role to carry water from the dams to the city and supply water to connecting chambers knows as ucchavas ending up into underground storage tanks or hauds. The system was first built around 1750 and was fully functional until the middle of the 20th century.

Image- Well at Kothavade Wada built in 1725 AD, Pimpalner, Taluka: Sakri, District: Dhule, Region: Khandesh excerpted from: Gupta R. R. 2007. The Wada of Maharashtra, An Indian Courtyard House Form Volume I

Image- Steps leading to Water Tank in Holkar Wada, built in 1760, Chandwad, Taluka: Chandwad, District: Nasik, Region: Desh: Desh, excerpted from Gupta R. R. 2007. The Wada of Maharashtra, An Indian Courtyard House Form Volume I

Image- Underground Well in Holkar Wada built in 1725, Vafagaon, Rajgurunagar, Taluka: Khed, District: Pune, Region: Desh, excerpted from Gupta R. R. 2007. The Wada of Maharashtra, An Indian Courtyard House Form Volume I

The underground water tanks or hauds were designed for an easy access to water and performing domestic activities like bathing, washing clothes, etc. One of the interesting example of this is the Kharadkar Wada, Pune where the underground water supply came from Katraj dam, which was 11kms from the site. The noteworthy point is that no pumping was required. This Kharadkar Wada has three separate hauds for separate activities. One for bathing, one for washing utensils and one for storing drinking water.

The hauds at Kharadkar Wada are private ones. Public hauds were also built by Peshwas, making water available to the people in their own neighborhood besides that grants were provided by Peshwas for their maintenance. These public underground water tanks had become a place of daily public interactions as well as social gatherings

Image- A Haud or Tank in Kharadkar Wada Pune PC: Archinomy Bridging the Gap. Image Source- http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/684/traditional-dwelling-wada-in-maharashtra-india

These wells and hauds today are in bad conditions and if revived they will serve as a good option to reduce the scarcity of water as Maharashtra faces the major problem of water scarcity.

Peshwa-era underground water supply system left to rot PC: Tanaji Khot; Pune Mirror

The architecture of the Wadas constructed in Peshwa period is different than the others. Besides the water supply system in Wada the another unique character of Wada architecture is the bracket beams of Banana Blossoms, which will be discussed in our upcoming blog. So stay tuned!

Written by- Ishwari Khandelwal, studio adda Research Intern.

References:

Mate M. S., 1998. A History of Water Management and Hydraulic Technology in India (1500BC to 1800 AD). Delhi: B R Publishing Corporation

Gupta R. R. 2007. The Wada of Maharashtra, An Indian Courtyard House Form Volume I. Cardiff. Proquest Publishers, Chap. 3, Pg. No. 53 – Pg. No. 58.

Traditional Dwelling – Wada in Maharashtra, India. http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/684/traditional-dwelling-wada-in-maharashtra-india

Aditya Deshmukh, Living on the edge. Water and the city of Pune, India.  https://issuu.com/emu_tu_delft/docs/aditya_deshmukh_final_report_emu201

Gokhale Pallavee and Deo, Sushama G., Digital Reconstruction and Visualisation of PeshwaPeriod Water System of Pune, Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 4 (2016)

Vibha Singh, Water Conservation: Why every Drop matters.  http://www.freepressjournal.in/featured-blog/water-conservation-why-every-drop-matters/1257536