It was in the 15th century that the Paliwal Brahmans of Jaisalmer started the practice of Khadeens. The state used to give land for constructing Khadeen for exchange of ¼ th share of the produce. There are about 500 big and small Khadeens in the Jaisalmer district, which irrigate about 1300 hectare land. Khadeen is built below the sloppy land and the soil embankment is raised around its two sides and the pucca sheet around the third side. It spreads over an area of about 5 to 7 Km. Usually embankment is around 2 to 4 m high. The excess water goes to the next Khadeen. When dried up, the crops are grown in the land of the previous Khadeen on the basis of moisture. Wheat is grown in the Maru region on this pattern. Even the barren land can be made cultivable by the Khadeen technique.

The place where the water collects is known as Khadeen and the dam which checks it is known as the Khadeen dam. The Khadeen dam is so constructed that it lets the extra water pass over it. In case of deep Khadeens, water is let out through gates as and when required. Water in the Khadeens is accompanied by alluvial soil where the crops grow well. The cattle graze in the Khadeen Payataan region and the cattle dung makes the land fertile. The wells are dug in the slop below the Khadeen, and the Khadeen water seeps into the wells and this water is used for drinking. The conventional Khadeens should be maintained under the water management programmes. The Rajasthan Government has planned to make new Khadeens but they are of inferior quality. They cannot stand the heavy rains, and develop cracks.