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| Engineer Sir,Arthur Cotton /xploreall.com |
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| Godavari barrage down streamCredit. C. Jain. /upload.wikimedia.org |
Sir Arthur Cotton, a renowned British military and irrigation engineer based in the then Madras Presidency in India, faced significant opposition from the English government due to his unrelenting dedication to the welfare of Indian natives and his transformative vision for public infrastructure. Cotton’s deep understanding of the problems faced by Indian farmers of Andhra region , particularly water scarcity, floods, and the destruction caused by droughts and famines, drove him to design large-scale irrigation projects.
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| Godavari Project and Engineer Cotton, AP,.indiatimes.com |
His most notable contribution was the construction of the Godavari anicut /Barrage, which turned vast tracts of barren land into fertile fields, significantly boosting agricultural productivity in the Godavari Delta. However, his progressive ideas and empathetic approach were at odds with the priorities of the British administration, which focused on profit and control rather than native welfare. Over flooding downstream caused population reduction and this posed labor shortage for a Jute mill being run by the English company. A barrage across the river will make vast dry land cultivable and solve labor shortage.
Cotton’s advocacy for massive water management projects (Godavari Barrage - 15 feet high and 3.5 km long.) often drew criticism from his contemporaries in the British government. He was accused of being excessively sympathetic to the needs of the Indian people and was viewed as a maverick who challenged the colonial status quo. Cotton's compassionate approach and his commitment to serving the people were reflective of his devout Christian faith, which he practiced both in spirit and action. He frequently attended the Church of the Godavari Delta Mission at Rajahmundry, which has since grown into a bustling city
The sheer scale and cost of his irrigation proposals were considered overly ambitious and financially risky by British officials, who were more inclined to prioritize the empire's fiscal interests over public welfare. His efforts to improve the lives of Indians earned him the ire of jealous colleagues and powerful bureaucrats, leading to near-impeachment proceedings.
Despite these challenges, Cotton stood firm in his convictions. Summoned to justify his proposals before a House of Commons Committee in 1878, he presented a compelling case for the Godavari anicut, emphasizing its potential to mitigate famine and cyclones while fostering economic development. In a famous statement, he highlighted the river’s immense capacity by noting, "My Lord, one day's flow in the Godavari river during high floods is equal to one whole year's flow in the Thames of London". Cotton was almost disappointed by the British Government's careless delay in implementing the project
His articulated vision of his projects with technical details and benefits had an impact on the members. His technical acumen and passionate advocacy eventually convinced the authorities, leading to the approval and implementation of his irrigation plans in Andhra.
While Cotton faced considerable resistance during his career, his projects’ undeniable success in transforming the Godavari Delta vindicated him. Revered by the Indian people for his contributions, he became a symbol of compassion and progress.He was instrumental in building an Aqueduct on the Krishna River that was completed by 1855. In 1840s' itself he had prepared plans for Visakhapatnam port based on the location, geography and depth of the bay in that region. In 1858, Arthur cotton had an ambitious plan to interlink all rivers and canals in the state of Odisha (Orissa) as part of drought relief measures
Cotton is honored in India, his legacy celebrated during events like the Godavari Maha Pushkaram, where Hindu rituals were performed in his memory—an extraordinary testament to the enduring impact of his work. The Indian people, who continue to honor his legacy as a benefactor who rose above colonial constraints.
Ref:
Hope, Elizabeth; Digby, William (2005). General Sir Arthur Cotton his life and work. New Delhi: Asian
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8274938273148772169/5325511657815303312
https://www.navrangindia.in/2015/05/sir-arthur-cotton-humane-british.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Cotton Educational Services. p. 4. ISBN 81-206-1829-7.
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