The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Musi floods bring back a flood of memories

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Musi floods bring back a flood of memories

J.S. Ifthekhar

“It was the mother of all floods”
No lessons learnt from the catastrophe

Hyderabad: Today it is reduced to an open sewer. A receptacle for untreated domestic and industrial waste. But time was when it seethed, leaving a trail of death and destruction. Put the clock back by a century and the narrow stream that bisects the city comes alive – swirling and pulsing like a one-eyed monster of awesome dimension.

Much water has flown down the Musi, literally. As the city recalls with trepidation the great Musi floods of 1908, there is a feeling that no lessons have been learnt from this catastrophe. Even a moderate rain now is enough to make the civic apparatus collapse like nine pins.

Responsive ruler

Comparisons are odious. But many feel the way the erstwhile rulers reacted to the tragedy shows the present administration in poor light. The gates of royal palaces were thrown open to shelter the victims while the kitchens worked overtime to feed them. About six lakh people were fed at a cost of Rs. 37,894 for 15 days. It was a big amount those days considering the fact that a bag of wheat cost Rs. 4.

When the sixth Nizam, Mahboob Ali Pasha, was going round the battered areas an old man told him that he had lost his home and everything. “How can you say that when your slave has homes that are open for you,” the Nizam remarked.

The 1908 flood was the 19th and the most destructive one in Musi. “It was the mother of all floods”, says M.A. Qaiyum, former director, Archaeology & Museums.

Records show that the Nizam personally supervised the rescue operations and moved through the flooded areas on horseback and elephant. His Dophin car got stuck in the water and had to be pushed. But those who put in the effort were called to the palace later and given a sherwani and 50 rupees each.

Graphic account

The flood destroyed everything in its path. The popular Urdu magazine, Adeeb, couldn’t bring out its issue as it was also affected. Later it brought out a special “Toofan number” giving a graphic account of the tragedy and how people saw their dear ones being washed away under the deluge and yet couldn’t do anything. Interestingly, the family of Najma Nikhat, well known Urdu writer, is believed to have received a dressing table as it got washed away and reached their doorsteps. Nobody has claimed it during the last 100 years and it is still with that family, it is said.

Puja by Nizam

A little known thing about the disaster is the puja performed by Mahboob Ali Pasha to propitiate the river. On the suggestion of Pandit Jhumar Lal Tiwari, the Raj Joshi, the Nizam donned the sacred thread and saluted the river in reverence. A golden tray containing a sari, pearls, kumkum and coconuts were also offered to the ‘angry goddess’.

While it wreaked havoc, the flood led to a great amount of literature in Urdu on the ‘tughyani’. Poet Amjad Hyderabadi, who lost his mother, wife and daughter, penned some heart-rending poems.

Pathar ka kaleja ho jise dekh ke paani

Tareeki main darya ne ek andher machaya

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