JAI SAMAND: A MARVEL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING

The role of the Sisodia state( Mewar) in the south of Rajasthan (India) had been outstanding in the field of irrigation. They were well acquainted about the potentialities of water resources located in the hills which is attested by the efforts of the rulers by constructing water harvesting structures since the establishment of their rule in the area. The efforts of the Sisodia chiefs in the field of construction of water harvesting structures, since the earliest times could only be checked by two methods: either through any inscription and document or by the physical survey of the extant structures. Earliest reference we get about Nagda, a place 16 kms. north of Udaipur. This place got the distinction of being the first capital of Mewar which was founded by Nagaditya who was ruling over the area in c. A.D. 646.