Nizam-era baoli set for restoration

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has launched the restoration of a century-old stepwell, or baoli, located near the historic Bum-Rukn-Ud-Daula lake in Shivarampally, Hyderabad. The project aims to revive the heritage structure, recharge groundwater and preserve traditional water-management practices.

HYDRAA has begun clearing and restoring the historic well, with the work expected to be completed within two to three months. Once restored, the stepwell is expected to regain its capacity to receive and retain substantial quantities of water. The restoration follows Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s intervention during his visit to the lake on March 8, when he called for the revival of the historic water structure.

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath brought the historic stepwell to the Chief Minister’s notice. Work on its restoration was subsequently initiated. Vimos Technocrats, supervised the development works at the lake, has also undertaken the restoration of the historic stepwell.

Bum-Rukn-Ud-Daula lake has a significant history. Historical accounts place its construction around 1770, during the reign of the third Nizam, Sikandar Jah. The lake is believed to have been named after Nawab Rukn-ud-Daula, who served as the Prime Minister during that period.

As per the historical experts, medicinal plants in and around the lake played a role in the natural filtration of water. The water passed through the lake embankment and surrounding vegetation is said to have reached the stepwell where it was valued for its cleanliness and medicinal properties. There are also accounts that the water was used by the Nizam-era rulers and transported to distant locations in bullock carts.

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The Hans India