254-year-old lake of Asaf Jahi era in troubled waters

254-year-old lake of Asaf Jahi era in troubled waters

A 254-year-old lake whose water was ferried for the Asaf Jahi kings while they enjoyed summer sojourn 2,000 kilometres away, is fast approaching extinction. 

The Bam Rukn ud-Dowlah in Rajendranagar mandal of Rangareddy district, which is mentioned variedly as Bomrukud-Dowla lake (HUDA Park Lake) and Bumrunudowla lake in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority’s records, is being encroached at such an expeditious pace that in the last four to five months, nearly half the lake has been filled up and levelled.

Historical records mention that the Bam (reservoir in Persian) was built in 1770 for drinking water by the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad Nawab Musa Khan Rukn ud-Dowlah during the rule of Nizam Ali Khan, the Asaf Jah II.

The document titled ‘Chronology of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty’, published in 1922, mentions the lake closer to the Mir Alam Tank, with an inscription in Urdu that translates into “That fortunate Ruknud-Dowlah founded this spring of public utility in the name of Hussain (Imam). The genius spoke for its chronogram ‘Drink cold water in memory of the Imam. 1184 AH.’

In accordance with his Shia faith, Rukn ud-Dowlah dedicated the reservoir to Imam Hussain, who was the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, even while he served the Sunni Muslim rulers. The tank was also known as Musa Bam or Hussaini Nahr.

The year 1184 in Hijri (Islamic) calendar translates to 1770 AD, five years before the death of the prime minister by assassination.

The lake’s condition was rated ‘good’ and the action needed was mentioned as ‘should be protected’ in the document, which goes on to mention that the reservoir was built in the days when pure and sweet water was scarce in the city.