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Mahesh Gogate

The Sacred Waters of Varanasi: The Colonial Draining and Heritage Ecology

The Sacred Waters of Varanasi: The Colonial Draining and Heritage Ecology

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  • More about The Sacred Waters of Varanasi: The Colonial Draining and Heritage Ecology

The book explores the impact of heavy rainfall on urban water bodies, catchment areas, and drainage patterns in India, highlighting the need for a re-visit to the urban water cycle. It discusses how colonial urban development policies and projects have transformed water bodies and catchment areas, particularly in Varanasi. The book focuses on the elimination of temple tanks and ponds after the annexation of Varanasi by the British.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2023
Publisher: Manohar Publishers and Distributors


Urban Water Bodies, Catchment Areas, and Drainage Patterns in India: A Historical Perspective
India has experienced unprecedented heavy rainfall in recent years, leading to severe flooding in metropolitan cities and other parts of the country. This has highlighted the need for a re-visit to the entire urban water cycle, including the processes and implementation of colonial urban development policies and projects. This book explores how these policies and projects have transformed the water bodies and their catchment areas, particularly in the traditional water holding systems of Varanasi city.

One of the key issues addressed in this book is the elimination of temple tanks and ponds after the annexation of Varanasi by the British from 1775 till 1947. The British colonial government implemented various policies and projects to modernize the city and improve its infrastructure, including the construction of drainage systems and the removal of traditional water holding systems. These policies and projects had a significant impact on the water bodies and their catchment areas, leading to the loss of many of these important water resources.

The book begins by providing a historical overview of the urban water cycle in India, including the various stages of development and the impact of colonialism on the water resources. It then discusses the specific case of Varanasi, including its geography, climate, and water resources. The book then examines the colonial urban development policies and projects that were implemented in Varanasi, including the construction of drainage systems, the removal of temple tanks and ponds, and the development of new urban areas.

The book highlights the negative impact of these policies and projects on the water bodies and their catchment areas. For example, the construction of drainage systems led to the loss of many of the natural wetlands and catchment areas, which are essential for the regulation of water flow and the maintenance of water quality. The removal of temple tanks and ponds also led to the loss of many of the cultural and religious significance of these water bodies, as they were used for religious rituals and ceremonies.

The book also discusses the efforts that have been made to restore the water bodies and their catchment areas in Varanasi. These efforts include the construction of new wetlands and catchment areas, the restoration of temple tanks and ponds, and the implementation of sustainable water management practices. The book highlights the challenges that have been faced in these efforts, including the lack of funding, the resistance of local communities, and the impact of climate change.

In conclusion, this book on urban water bodies, catchment areas, and drainage patterns in India is set against the backdrop of the unprecedented heavy rainfall that severely deluged metropolitan cities and other parts of India in recent years. The recurring natural catastrophes in water-stressed cities of India and alarming rate of diminishing water bodies, wetlands, and catchment areas needs a re-visit to an entire urban water-cycle. This book, thus, discusses how the processes and implementation of colonial urban development policies and projects have radically transformed the water bodies and their catchment areas – traditional water holding systems of Varanasi city. The book highlights the negative impact of these policies and projects on the water bodies and their catchment areas, and the efforts that have been made to restore these resources. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in urban water management and the preservation of India's water resources.


Dimension: 240 x 160 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789394262614

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