Arthur Cotton

Arthur Cotton (Arthur Thomas Cotton) a British army officer, irrigation engineer, humanitarian.

Pioneer of Indian Irrigation in the Colonial Era.

Sir Arthur Cotton engineered the Dowleswaram Barrage on the Godavari River, developed irrigation works on the Krishna River, improved the Grand Anicut on the Kaveri River, and planned the Kurnool–Cuddapah Canal.

He faced severe official resistance and near-impeachment from British authorities for prioritizing Indian famine relief over colonial tax gains.

He received the title “Sir” after being knighted and was honored as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI).
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