This drain-like structure forms part of the aqueduct system in the ancient Hampi city in Kartanaka. The criss-crossing of rock aqueducts transports water across the city to palaces, royal residences and water tanks. Some of these were raised high above the ground to ensure that the water is carried across different terrains.
Hampi was once home to the ancient South Indian Vijayanagara empire. It was founded by two brothers on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in 1336. Hampi was a major centre of Hindu rule and civilization for 200 years. Today, one can still visit the ancient ruins of the city made of rocks and boulders, which are abundantly found across the landscape as far as the eyes can see.
This unique stepped water tank was discovered when archaeologists were puzzled at a branch of aqueduct leading particularly nowhere in Hampi's Royal Enclosure. Digging underneath the spot revealed and exposed the 22-sq-m tank made of finely finished black schist stone blocks. The system of aqueducts consists of raised criss-crossing network of 'drains' to transport water across the land. These 'drains' were chiseled slender boulders linked from end-to-end to form an extended water irrigation scheme supported by stone pillars.
The aqueducts would have transported water into this stepped water tank for the usage of the Royal Enclosure residents. Hampi was once upon a time the capital of the ancient South India Vijayanagara Empire. In its heyday, it was said that the city had a population closed to 1.5 million and covered an area of at least 26-sq-km.
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