Introduction
The huge lake upon whose northeastern shore Polonnaruwa rests is an inland sea known
as the Parakrama Samudra. The largest irrigation tank of Parakramabahu I. It was
the life-blood of the ancient city in the same way that it is the blood life of
the religion today, providing water for the growth of thirsty rice crops and other
foodstuffs. Its 5,600 acres of water irrigated an estimated 18,200 acres of paddy
land. Five minor lakes were incorporated in the building of the Parakrama Samudra,
who’s 8 1/2- mile bund contains 4 1/2 million cubic yards of earth. One thousand
men employed in the hand labor of the period, working 24 hours a day. Could scarcely
have completed the job in 12 years.
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