Mehrangarh: The Fort with a 500-Year-Old Water Harvesting System

Rajput King Rao Jodha’s Visionary Water Conservation Methods Stand the Test of Time

In 1459, amidst the drought-prone landscape of Jodhpur, Rathore Rajput king Rao Jodha laid the foundation of the Mehrangarh Fort, ensuring it had a robust water harvesting system. Remarkably, over 500 years later, this system remains functional, even as many Indian cities face severe water crises each summer.

Our ancestors' understanding of water conservation is exemplified by the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. Amid the current water crisis, while continuous lessons on rainwater harvesting are being taught, many still let rainwater flow away, leading to summer water shortages. However, the ancient wisdom embedded in Mehrangarh Fort’s water management system highlights a sustainable approach that is still relevant today.

Rao Jodha’s Vision for Mehrangarh Fort

When Rao Jodha laid the foundation of Mehrangarh Fort in May 1459, he probably did not foresee that the fort’s water harvesting system would remain operational nearly five centuries later. The fort, perched 410 meters above the surrounding plains, is a marvel of architecture and historical significance, drawing tourists from around the world. It features high, thick walls, intricate carvings, seven gates, vast courtyards, two temples, and a museum, making it a symbol of India's rich past.

A Sage’s Curse and the King's Ingenious Solution

Before the construction of the fort, a hermit named Sadhu Chidiya Nath Ji lived on the hill, the only resident at that time. There was a small water source near the Sadhu’s abode. When King Rao Jodha requested the Sadhu to leave the hill for the fort's construction, the hermit cursed the place, predicting perpetual water scarcity. Though the curse was later retracted, it prompted Rao Jodha to implement a comprehensive rainwater harvesting and water conservation system.

Natural gradient led to water flow from a higher-level catchment to a lower level.

Advanced Water Harvesting Techniques

Rao Jodha constructed a tanka near the hermitage site of Sadhu Chidiya Nath Ji. Tankas, common in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, are made from brick, lime, and stone, designed to collect and store rainwater. The fort also featured several kunds or catchment areas, such as Rasolai Kund and Dev Kund, which captured rainwater from the hills.

Ranisar Lake and Further Developments

Rani Jasmade Hadi, Rao Jodha's first queen, initiated the construction of the historic Ranisar Lake just a year after the fort’s foundation. This lake included five small wells known as 'Kuiyan', filled with underground water, particularly useful during the summer months when the lake's surface water diminished. Later, Rani Uttamde Sisodini added Padamsar Lake in the adjacent valley during Rao Maldeo’s reign. An outlet in Ranisar's fortification allowed overflow to reach Padamsar.

Ingenious Water Transport Systems

The fort's water harvesting system utilized the natural gradient of the hill to channel water from higher catchment areas to lower ones. The valleys around Mehrangarh served as catchment areas, with Dhobi Kund supplementing Ranisar Lake’s catchment. Mechanical engineering methods, such as aqueducts and Persian wheels (Arahat), transported collected water to various parts of the fort.

Persian Wheels: Engineering Marvels of the Past

The Persian wheel, or Arahat, was a mechanical water-lifting device operated by draught animals like bullocks, buffaloes, or camels. This system used a long rope fitted with clay pots to lift water from lower-level water bodies. Though the wooden wheels deteriorated over time, the Mehrangarh Museum Trust restored them to their original state. Today, these wheels can be seen at the elevator terrace in front of the Fateh Mahal, lifting water from Ranisar to Jaipol Terrace and further to Fateh Mahal.

Legacy of Sustainable Practices

Mehrangarh Fort’s rainwater harvesting system stands as a testament to the advanced understanding of sustainable water management practices by our ancestors. As modern society grapples with water scarcity, the enduring legacy of Mehrangarh Fort’s system offers invaluable lessons. By reviving and adapting these ancient practices, we can better manage our precious water resources and mitigate the impacts of water shortages.

Reference:

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