Hyderabad’s Bam Rukn-ud-Daula well to get new lease of life
HYDERABAD: The Bam Rukn-ud-Daula lake in Shivarampally has a 356-year history, with a historic well spread across 1.50 acres at the bottom of the lake. After restoring the lake, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has now decided to revive the well.
The restoration work is expected to be completed in two to three months, after which the well is expected to receive a steady flow of water.
Ranganath brings historic well to CM’s attention
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy inaugurated the restored Bam Rukn-ud-Daula lake on March 8 and opened it to the public. HYDRAA commissioner A V Ranganath had brought the historic well to the chief minister’s attention at the time.
Following the chief minister’s directions, Vimoss Technocrats, which supervised the lake restoration works, has also taken up the reconstruction of the historic well.
Well is linked to Nizam-era water history
Historical accounts say the lake was built around 1770 during the reign of the third Nizam, Sikandar Jah, when Nawab Rukn-ud-Daula was the prime minister. The lake is said to have been named after him.
The lake originally covered about 100 acres. Water was naturally filtered through the lake bund and medicinal plants in the surrounding area before reaching the baoli, according to the account.
The water is said to have medicinal properties and was reportedly used by the Nizams. Accounts also say the water was transported to distant places in bullock carts and even reached London.
HYDRAA views protection of the lake as preservation of a centuries-old heritage linked to water, nature, traditional medicine and the history of the Nizam dynasty.
