3-021-560 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Lake of Kankrowlee, in Meywar, Upper India, 1868. 'This magnificent lake, called also Rajsumned, or Royal Sea, is situated about thirty miles north of Oodeypore, the capital of Meywar. It is about eight miles long by four broad, and was formed by building a dam or bund across the course of a small river where it passed formerly between two hills, one of which, along with the original bund, is shown in the picture. Another bund, seen in the distance, is of great extent, measuring three miles. Both are built exclusively of white marble, which is found abundantly close by. This immense work was executed in the reign of Raj Sing, Maharana of Meywar, having been commenced in 1661 and finished in 1668, at a cost of £1,150,000. The object of the undertaking was to provide means of subsistence for the population, who were starving in consequence of a great famine, caused by excessive drought, and also to ensure a plentiful supply of water for irrigation in future...A large town and a very holy shrine grew up at the end of the long bund, and the words "Kahan Kerowlee" have been abbreviated into "Kankrowlee," the name of the city, the shrine, and the lake'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.