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The Englishman who fell into the well

200 years ago, Lt John Moore died while performing an incredible equestrian feat. SERISH NANISETTI and RENUKA VIJAY KUMAR discover a bit of history

PHOTO P.V. SIVAKUMAR

THE MYSTERY WITHIN The engraving on the well.

Two hundred years ago, the year Secunderabad was born, a young British officer died. So many of them died but this one died differently. He is said to have died when he was trying to jump across a well riding a horse on July 9, 1807.

This was history, then began a quest of trying to find the where of the well and the how of the death of Lieutenant John Moore. Lieutenant Moore was a 26-year-old Cavalry officer posted in the British army and was based in the region of what is now the 68th Field Regiment. The only tip was that it was in Plassey Lines in Bowenpally. Trouble is, Plassey Lines stretches across 5 km, and since the regiments posted here keep changing, the oral history is very limited. After working the phones for hours, and walking in bushes and shrubs, one well proved promising.

It was near Kendriya Vidyalaya just off the Nagpur Highway. Inside, off the beaten track in a place overrun by bushes is a step well. A huge 40-ft square well whose depth can be plumbed only by going down a flight of stairs. No, Lt Moore and his horse Sultan didn't used to jump across the well which is some 40 feet, but he used to jump across the entrance which is still a chasm of 12 feet. Everyday. And everyday people flocked to see him. On July 9, 1807, Lt Moore's superior officer General Officer Commanding, Madras Area, joined the gaggle to watch the jump. Lt John Moore came racing down on Sultan and then something inexplicable happened, the horse and the rider hit the wall and rolled down the steps. His last wish, like a true British officer was to be buried along with his horse.

Part of the well.

A few years after the officer died, one plaque was installed outside the well: This is about the place where Lt Moore met with his fatal accident. More than hundred years later, when 26th K.C.O Light Cavalry was posted here, the gravestone got a proper shape in April 1913.

Now, as you drive past the Bowenpally PS, just before hitting the Medchal Highway is the Kendriya Vidyalaya in limits of the 68th Field Regiment. Just across the razor-wire fencing is a doorway like structure, barely visible among the bushes. This was the place 200 years ago, Lt John Moore died.

RIP LT JOHN MOORE.

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