The earliest civilizations that emerged on earth were near water resources, since for obvious reasons, water is a crucial source, required for survival. In fact, the Indus Valley civilization, the ruins of which can be found near the Mohenjodaro and Harappa regions, was in fact heavily dependent on the Indus river, for almost everything, from agriculture to trade. So, water resources have been, in a way, the stepping stones for civilizations.
Imagine the importance of the very same water resources, in a dried up, hungry, desert region – Rajasthan and Gujarat, where people managed to create sustainable routines. Back in the day, towns like Chittor and Ranthambore were inculcated within the fortress, where they were directly linked to the water resources. Such settlements wouldn’t have been possible without the said “water resources.”
The fort of Chittor alone had 84 water bodies. The kunds and bawris (stepwells) were always constructed right under the talabs (lakes) to promote harvest seepage. In the Ranthambore fort, water bodies were well-spread, so that no one would have to walk long distances to collect water. Many historians marvel at the structures of water bodies in Rajasthan, which are hallmarks of the Rajasthani civilization.
Water architecture, like those of kunds and bawris, did not only function to serve the population and be the main sources of their survival, but were also important structures that became a part of the Rajasthani and Gujarati culture. Women and water became one of the strongest interdependent factors back in the day.
It is believed that since men were busy defending their homeland, and fighting at the front line, the women back at home preserved and cleaned such water resources for centuries. This instigated a myriad of water cultures to take place, In fact, a large number of such water resources were built by women, like the famous Rani ki Vav in Patna, Gujarat, which was built by the Queen herself during those days.
For states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, water bodies were celebrated, since they were the symbolized life and purity. Water bodies became crucial, and holy, for the desert people, since it ensured them of a sustainable and fulfilling life. This celebration, upholding of water bodies became a strong reason for the numerous community worships and get-togethers.
Women would go together in groups to collect water. It was a part of their daily routines. People would take baths in such water bodies to rinse off their sins, and children would play around water bodies. Did you know that in Rajasthan, the Bhawai dance was another water ritual?
The Bhawai dance requires a dancer to lift several pots, filled to the brim with water, on their head to appease the God of Chicken/ Smallpox – Sheetla Mata. It was just one of the many dances or rituals revolving around water and religion.
Water and religion in India has always been a prominent theme, not only for the sake of religion, but also for cultural harmony. Water resources back in the day were considered as communal resources, and anyone could use it according to their preference. Though this was later deemed as unhygienic, and changed by the British, it was still a cultural embodiment.
Interestingly, baoris and kunds can be linked to the Great Baths of the Greeks, where water was considered as a means of building relations and staying in touch with neighbors and the community.
Another example of this is Pushkar Lake, a man-made lake in Rajasthan that converted the dried regions of Pushkar into the fruit basket of the state. This water body is referred to as the sacred, holy water body where several thousands of people visit to understand the richness and the uniqueness of this water body.
In history, it is believed that Nahar Rao Parihar of Mandore, was chasing a boar during a hunting expedition, when in order to quench his thirst, he dipped his hand into the lake and was astonished to see that the Leukoderma marks on his hand had disappeared. Impressed with the sacred curative nature of the lake, he got the lake restored to its glory. Pushkar hence was a pilgrimage site even long back, though it did not fall into any of the trade routes.
However, the British invasion changed things dramatically when it came to the water resources, Though the Mughals before them had allowed the stepwells to continue work, and believed in its advantages, the British believed that the water resources could use better infrastructure to function better. They installed pipes in the baoris to ensure that they functioned properly and served the community.
In present, through the government has grand schemes of focusing on water management and providing clean water to all, the Indian government is also taking initiatives to manage water resources in Rajasthan through its flagship program Mukhyamantri Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan, where they are working on reviving the rainwater harvesting structures as well as reestablishing the traditional water structures to cope with the water crisis in India.