Historically, the interconnected water tanks inside the Chitradurga Fort were engineered as a precautionary measure- to provide water, an integral source of survival, if the city was under siege for an extended period.
Today this centuries old system of rainwater harvesting used during the rule of Palegar Nayakas, Hyder Ali and successive rulers will be reactivated by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), Bangalore Circle, as a part of the integrated development of Chitradurga Fort project.
The ASI has taken up restoration works in the Fort for the last three years.
This year they have chosen to focus on restoration of the unique water harvesting system, which had made this semi arid region self sufficient by utilising the topography of the Chinmuladri Hill.
The objective is three fold- helping conservation, heritage and the environment says Environment Landscape Architect, INDE, Mohan S, the consultant for this ASI project.
The catchment areas in the hill on which the Fort is located is being restored, he explained.
The rainwater harvesting process is facilitated by adding vegetation to the landscape, which will allow the water to flow into the reservoir, said Mr Mohan.
The three major tanks- Gopalaswamy honda, Akka honda and Thangi honda-have been connected by channels at various heights, inside the sprawling fort premises. The surplus rainwater water form the topmost tank is flowed into the next. The rainwater collected at the catchment area also fills up the tanks inside the Fort and outside through channels.
The built up water canals have collapsed, at certain areas the natural carriageways have been blocked with silt due to erosion, the crucial links between tanks are broken and the tanks have accumulated silt, which will be restored.
Survey and documentation has been completed and restoration of the water systems will begin shortly. The project is expected to be completed by next monsoon.
ASI has similarly conserved and reactivated water systems in their original form in Vittala, Hampi and Santhebennur, Davangere District.