[1] The lake was originally commissioned by Chandragupta Maurya and later renovated by several kings across different dynasties.

The lake was built as part of a water conservation project in the semi-arid region of Kathiawar, now Gujarat.

The lake suffered damage in the 2nd century CE due to heavy rains, which led to a breach in the dam.

[5] (L.8)... for the sake of ordered to be made by the Vaishya Pushyagupta, the provincial governor of the Maurya king Chandragupta Maurya; adorned with conduits for Ashoka the Maurya by the Yavana king Tushaspha while governing; and by the conduit ordered to be made by him, constructed in a manner worthy of a king (and) seen in that breach, the extensive dam.

—Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman[6][7] The lake was also restored by Chakrapalita, the son of Parnadatta, the governor of Saurashtra under King Skandagupta.