The Hindu : Front Page : Realtors eye royal spring

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Monday, Apr 14, 2008
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Realtors eye royal spring

J.S. Ifthekhar

— Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

Under threat: The Bam Ruknud Dowlah, the royal spring near Mir Alam Tank.

Hyderabad: Not many know that it still exists and is intact even now. However, only small puddles of water are left in the tank which once brimmed with the elixir of life. The Bam Ruknud Dowlah, which served as the drinking water source for the Asaf Jahi rulers, is on the verge of being wiped out.

Tucked away in a narrow lane near the Mir Alam Tank in the old city, this sweet water spring has caught the eye of land sharks. Efforts are on to sell away this historic pond along with the open land surrounding it. Since this pond is located just 10 km from the new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport realtors see a gold mine in it.

People concerned

Old-timers who are aware of the importance of this pond are worried about the nefarious designs of the realtors and want to protect it at any cost. Incidentally, the water pond and the adjacent land belong to the government but the latter is blissfully unaware of its prized possession.

This pond which is also called ‘Musa Bam’ was built by Nawab Mir Musa Khan Ruknud Dowlah, then Prime Minister of Asaf Jah II in 1770 AD. A slab bearing a Persian inscription was present till recently. The chronogram said “drink cold water in the memory of the Imam.”

Pure and sweet water was scarce those days and this public utility came in handy. Because Ruknud Dowlah’s intentions were good, the water, it is believed, tasted very good. Apart from the general public, the Asafiyah kings used it. A special horse drawn carriage used to carry the water from this pond to the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan’s palace at King Kothi. Even when he was out of Hyderabad, the water was transported to him.

Unfortunately, bad times have fallen on this eternal spring. Unless protected it might be lost to posterity for ever.

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