Ancient Irrigation and Infrastructure
Rudradaman I: Renovation of Sudarshan Lake
Rudradaman I renovated the Sudarshan Lake without using forced labor. He funded the repairs from his own treasury, as documented in the famous Junagadh rock inscription.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part 1
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2014
Evidence Source
Link ↗Who renovated Sudarshan lake without using forced labour?
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
The management of public infrastructure, particularly irrigation systems like Sudarshan Lake, was a crucial responsibility of ancient Indian rulers across different dynasties.
Authentic Source Evidence
The Junagadh Inscription states that the Saka ruler Rudradaman I repaired the Sudarshan Lake dam after it was destroyed by a storm. He notably used his own treasury resources and avoided forced labor (vishti) for the task.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"Who originally built the Sudarshan Lake?"
The lake was originally constructed by Pushyagupta, the governor of Chandragupta Maurya.
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"Rudradaman's inscription is a rare historical record that explicitly highlights a ruler's refusal to use forced labor (Vishti) for state projects."
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