Irrigation in India includes a network of major and minor canals from Indian rivers, groundwater well based systems, tanks, and other rainwater harvesting projects for agricultural activities. Of these groundwater system is the largest.

In the ancient days, irrigation works in our country comprised dug wells, small tanks and diversion works on perennial rivers. The grand anicut (weir), constructed with stone laid in clay, across the Cauvery River is one of the notable ancient irrigation works constructed by the great Chola ruler in 200 A.D.