As distinctive as the hiti system is, it is equally complex. In ‘Hiti Pranali’, Padmasundar Joshi argues that, rather than simply referring to it as a ‘hiti’, the term used during the Licchavi period was ‘Hiti Pranali’. He says that adding Pranali captures the entire system of Hitis, rather than just reducing it to a spout. It is because they are not isolated structures but crucial elements of Nepal’s water system that once was the lifeline to numerous settlements.

Many years ago, accessing water was an arduous task in itself. Hitis existed to solve that problem. Similarly, without these carved stone spouts, people would have been confined to living along riverbanks, as in most civilisations around the world. It used to serve all of the purposes at once: bathing, washing clothes, drinking water, cooking and many more.

The Hitis back then were made through the precise result of intense labour, backed by proven science. Joshi mentions topics such as non-scouring velocity and the mechanism of spouts. Time and again, the principles of physics and engineering are reiterated in Hiti’s construction, underscoring that behind its aesthetic structure lies a sophisticated water management system.

At a time when construction materials, manpower and research were limited, the meticulous engineering of Hitis was quite a remarkable achievement. The writer has managed to examine Hiti Pranali from a logical perspective, laying his years of experience as a civil engineer on paper.

While stating the downfall of traditional water-system preservation in the Kathmandu valley, Joshi quotes, “In a country where Licchavi rulers exempted tax for an entire community that worked for the construction of Hitis, Ranas were successful in doing the exact opposite of it. The region started suffering from a dearth of acknowledgement and care of public infrastructures after that.”

Their disregard for public infrastructure was intertwined with personal choices. A Rana official travelling to Nakabahil accidentally fell near the Hiti. He then rampantly ordered to bury the Hiti, recklessly misusing authority.

Along with the theoretical explanation, the book explores a series of mythical folktales centred on their Hitis and ponds. These stories add an entertaining nuance to the book, which is heavily dependent on urban planning research. One such story is the story behind the Pimbahal pond.

What we now know as Pimbahal, one of the most crowded areas in Patan, didn’t have a pond before. The women there, after completing their household chores, used to have gossip sessions together, also known as Khyali Chwanegu.

During the premise of such sessions, a disguised Tikabhairav Lakhey in the form of an ordinary man falls in love with a girl. When the girl is absent from these sessions, the Lakhey asks her the reason. She reveals that the water source is very far from her home, which is the real reason she hasn't appeared. The Lakhey takes it personally, resorting to making a pond at night. Although their love story didn’t have a good ending, his devotion still lives in the Pimbahal Pokhari.

The book's strongest suit is how fascinating it makes Hitis sound. From their cultural nuances to their historical origins and development, the stone spouts in our surroundings have such an extensive background that often goes unnoticed. One such example is in Hiti’s origin itself. According to the book, no single clan was responsible for their origin and development.

The Kirats, who migrated down the surrounding hills into the Kathmandu Valley, used natural springs as water sources, while the Licchavi possessed knowledge of groundwater and wells. The hiti system may thus be regarded as a fusion of these two traditions of water management.

While educating readers on the cultural and social aspects of Hitis, Joshi doesn’t hesitate to confront the realities that were lacking in those systems. He critically points out the flaws within the traditional methods and practices. For instance, the filter inside the spout didn’t effectively remove sediment and residues from the water.

As the book progresses, however, the lineup of water systems across numerous parts of the valley might seem monotonous. But that eventually aligns with the book’s primary objective of documenting a heritage that needs immediate attention from both the public and the government, rather than providing a narrative experience.

Following urbanisation and changes in lifestyle, the importance of Hiti has begun to fade. With many of them dried up or simply remaining still as attractions. There is a sense of urgency that can be felt from the author’s writing. He doesn’t blame a single entity for the fault. But he examines all the layers and events of the past that have contributed to their decline.

Joshi, who has been a voice for Hiti preservation, argues that sentimentality alone cannot be the driving force behind this change in preservation. Till now, many have attempted that, but it must be well supported with policies and action-oriented planning, he believes. This book is a product of Joshi’s commitment to Nepal’s water heritage and systems, which also led to it being shortlisted for the Madan Puraskar 2078.

Hiti Pranali

Authors: Padmasundar Joshi

Publisher: Publication Nepalaya

Year: 2022