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(A thread) Let us tell you amazing story of an irrigation lake in the ancient India, which was continually operational for almost 8 centuries. Let us tell you the story of Lake Sudarshan and Junagadh Inscriptions.
History is a collection of stories: Stories which are told & remembered by civilisations. They are recited by generations. They are painted on walls & scribbled on paper. Sometimes they are etched on stones & copper.
Once upon a time, the great Emperor of Magadha, Chandragupta Maurya (324 BCE to 297 BCE) ordered his minister Pushyagupta to construct an irrigation lake in present day Junagadh, Gujarat.
Thus at the foothills of Mount Girnar, and the confluence of rivers "Suvarna Sikata" and "Palashini", lake Sudarshan was constructed.
Decades later, Emperor Ashok ordered his Greek governor, Tushaspha, to work on the dam, and to design and construct irrigation canals.
The lake continued to serve the people in the region for centuries to come, until an unseasonal cloudburst wrecked the dam around 150 CE.
At the time, the region was ruled by the Saka king Rudradaman. He repaired the lake again, and he did so against the advice of his royal advisors.
The dam was used for centuries to come.
Its use and existence are mentioned in the records of Emperor Skandagupta of Gupta dynasty, who ruled over India in the 5th century CE.
Its use and existence are mentioned in the records of Emperor Skandagupta of Gupta dynasty, who ruled over India in the 5th century CE.
The historical records show that the dam was continuously operational for almost 8 centuries.
It is a unique story that has lived on for millenia through a unique inscription, which again is a story in itself.
Just imagine that there exists a large boulder, one which has withstood nature and man for millions of years.
Imagine that three kings, centuries apart, choose the same boulder as the immortal witness of their deeds and triumph.
Imagine that three kings, centuries apart, choose the same boulder as the immortal witness of their deeds and triumph.
Well, you don't have to imagine.
It exists near the now-extinct lake Sudarshan.
It is called "Junagadh Inscriptions".
It exists near the now-extinct lake Sudarshan.
It is called "Junagadh Inscriptions".
Emperor Ashok, King Rudradaman and Emperor Skandagupta have inscribed their story on three sides of the single rock.
To think of it, few meters of a rock's circumference contain a history that spans 700 years.
To think of it, few meters of a rock's circumference contain a history that spans 700 years.
