Ajudhia Nath Khosla, Engineer, Administrator
Engineer, Administrator

Ajudhia Nath Khosla

Born 11 December 1892 · Punjab — Died 1 January 1984

Led the design and implementation of major irrigation projects as Chairman of the Central Waterways Irrigation and Navigation Commission.

Ajudhia Nath Khosla was an Indian engineer and politician. He was the Chairman of the Central Waterways Irrigation and Navigation Commission of India.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

The Khosla Disc, invented during World War I while Khosla served in Mesopotamia, revolutionized precision levelling for large-scale irrigation projects.

The Story

1
In 1918, during his deputation with the Indian Expeditionary Force in Mesopotamia, Ajudhia Nath Khosla invented the Khosla Disc, a precision instrument for levelling wide rivers and valleys, a tool that significantly improved surveying accuracy.
2
🌊 Between 1937 and 1939, he engineered the Trimmu Barrage in record time, completing in two years what typically took four to five, demonstrating his innovative approach to water infrastructure.
3In 1945, Khosla became the founding chairman of the Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission, setting the foundation for India's centralized water resource management.
4🎓 From 1954 to 1959, he served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Roorkee, shaping engineering education during a pivotal post-independence era.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Khosla wrote his groundbreaking treatise, The Design of Weirs on Permeable Foundation, in just a few months in 1936 while in charge of the Hafizabad Division, which transformed water engineering practices globally.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Jalandhar, Punjab
Ajudhia Nath Khosla was born in Jalandhar district of Punjab on 11 December 1892.
1892
📚
Education
Graduated as Civil Engineer
Completed civil engineering at Thomason College of Civil Engineering (now IIT Roorkee).
1916
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Career
Invented Khosla Disc
While posted in Mesopotamia during WWI, invented the Khosla Disc for precision levelling.
1918
📖
Publication
Published Design of Weirs
Authored The Design of Weirs on Permeable Foundation, revolutionizing water engineering.
1936
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Career
Appointed Chairman of Central Waterways Commission
Became founding chairman of the Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission of India.
1945
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Career
Vice Chancellor of University of Roorkee
Led the University of Roorkee from 1954 to 1959, influencing engineering education.
1954
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Career
Became Governor of Odisha
Started first term as Governor of Odisha from September 1962 to August 1966.
1962
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Career
Second Term as Governor of Odisha
Served again as Governor of Odisha from September 1966 to January 1968.
1966
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Death
Death
Passed away in 1984, leaving a legacy in Indian water engineering and administration.
1984
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Despite being nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1958, Khosla resigned within a year to join the Planning Commission, indicating a preference for technical and administrative roles over legislative politics.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Khosla’s early work included soil reclamation and tackling water logging, studied extensively during his 1931 deputation to the US and Europe, influencing his later dam designs in India.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He transformed the Poona Research Station at Khadakvasla into the Central Water and Power Station, elevating its role in India’s water infrastructure research.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Khosla’s work on barrage design and water management established technical standards still referenced in India and abroad. His leadership in the Central Water Commission institutionalized coordinated water resource planning critical for projects like Bhakra Nangal and Hirakud Dams. His tenure as Vice Chancellor of University of Roorkee influenced generations of engineers who built modern India's infrastructure.

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