Besnagar and Bhom: Two Paradigms of Ancient Canal Structures

Abstract

Vidisha (विदिशा, formerly known as Bhelsa and known as Besnagar in ancient times) is a city in central Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located 62.5 km northeast of the state capital, Bhopal. The name "Vidisha" is derived from the nearby river "Bais", mentioned in the Puranas. The district was created as Bhilsa District in 1904 by joining the tehsils of Vidisha (also known as Bhilsa) and Basoda (but not Basoda State) which were then part of Gwalior state. After India's independence in 1947, the former princely state of Gwalior became part of Madhya Bharat state, which was formed in 1948. Vidishā was the administrative headquarters of Bhelsa, or Bhilsa, during the Medieval period. It was renamed Vidisha in 1956. Vidisha is also amongst the 112 Aspirational District in the Aspirational District Programme launched by NITI Aayog in 2018. According to Census 2011 information the location code or village code of Bhom village is 553332. Bhom village is located in Uran tehsil of Raigarh district in Maharashtra, India. It is situated 21km away from sub-district headquarter Uran (tehsildar office) and 45km away from district headquarter Alibag. As per 2009 stats, Chirner is the gram panchayat of Bhom village.The total geographical area of village is 74 hectares. Bhom has a total population of 475 peoples, out of which male population is 249 while female population is 226. Literacy rate of bhom village is 71.37% out of which 82.33% males and 59.29% females are literate. There are about 127 houses in bhom village.