Great Musi Flood of 1908

Last updated

Great Musi Flood of 1908
Refugees walk across a bridge with the Afzal Darwaza in the background, during the Great Musi Flood of 1908, Hyderabad.jpg
Refugees walk across a bridge with the Afzal Darwaza in the background, during the Great Musi Flood of 1908
Date28 September 1908 – 29 September 1908
Location Hyderabad, Hyderabad State, British India (now in Telangana, India)
Deaths>15,000
Property damage£1,250,000 (over £104 million in 2021)
The arched gateway of the then British Residency, partially in water during the Great Musi Flood of 1908 The arched gateway of the then British Residency, partially in water during the Great Musi Flood of 1908.jpg
The arched gateway of the then British Residency, partially in water during the Great Musi Flood of 1908

The Great Musi Flood was a devastating flood that occurred on 28 September 1908 in Hyderabad on the banks of the Musi River. [1] The city of Hyderabad was the capital of the Hyderabad State, ruled by the Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan. [2]

Contents

The flood, locally known as Thughyani Sitambar, shattered the life of the people living in Hyderabad, killing 50,000 people [3] [4] It washed away three bridges — the Afzal, Mussallam Jung and Chaderghat, such that the Puranapul became the only link between the two parts of the city. [5]

Flooding of Hyderabad

Musi River scene in 1895 Musi River Scene 1895.jpg
Musi River scene in 1895

The Musi River was the cause of frequent flood devastation of Hyderabad city until the early 20th century. It had begun to swell dangerously on 27 September. The first flood warning came at 2 AM when the water flowed over Puranapul bridge. By 6 AM there was a cloudburst. The flood breached on Tuesday, 28 September 1908: the river rose 60 feet, flowing through the city. [6] In 36 hours, 17 inches of rainfall was recorded, and the water level at Afzalgunj was about 11 feet (3.4 m) high and in other places even higher.

Damage

The tamarind tree. Tamrained tree neat OGH.JPG
The tamarind tree.

The worst-hit area was Kolsawadi and Ghansi Bazar in Afzal Gunj. The flood razed over 80,000 houses, making a fourth of the population homeless. [8] It completely destroyed the Nizam Hospital, burying the patients. It washed away the Afzal, Mussallam Jung and Chaderghat bridges, all built in the 1860s. Around 15,000 people had died. [9]

A 200-year-old tamarind tree inside Osmania Hospital saved over 150 people who climbed it. [10] Popular Urdu poet Amjad Hyderabadi, 22, saw his entire family, including his mother, wife and daughter washed away in the flood; he was the only survivor in his family. Most of his Ruba'i, Qayamat-e-Soghra (little doomsday) reflects his depression at the loss. [11] A couplet muses:

Itni Dar'ya May Bhi Na Duba Amjad Dub'nay Valo Ko Bus Ek Chul'lu Kafi Hai

Relief work & puja done by The Nizam

Jhumar Lal Tiwari, the court astrologer of the Hyderabad State advised to the Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah VI Sir Mahbub Ali Khan, that we need to appease the Goddess as River Musi wreaked havoc through the city on September 28, 1908. In response Nizam Mahbub Ali Khan wore a dhoti, janau and offered puja with fruits, flowers, coconuts, and a silk sari, pearls and gold to the river as per Hindu religious customs, to appease and pacify river Musi. Rivers are considered Goddess in Hindu customs and raging rivers are offered puja to pacify them in Hindu culture. [12] [13]

The Nizam opened the gates of his palace for everyone during the flood crisis. Whoever sought help and relief under his proactive supervision were promptly supported. Elephants and horses were also put in service for relief work by him. [13]

A relief fund of 500,000 Rupees was borne by the state, and 1,000,000 more raised by public subscription, with the Nizam and Kishen Pershad making the largest donations. [8] The government declared an official holiday of ten days for people to deal with their own crises. Ten kitchens were set up in various parts of the city, which were in operation from 29 September to 13 October.

Aftermath

The historic deluge resulted in the development of the twin cities in 1908. This necessitated planned, phased development. [14] [15]

Committee recommendations

Syed Azam Hussaini submitted his report on 1 October 1909, with recommendations on preventing a recurrence of floods and improving civic amenities. The Seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, constituted a City Improve Trust in 1912. He built a flood control system on the river.

Sir Visvesvaraya’s services

The Nizam invited M. Visvesvaraya to advise and assist in the reconstruction of the city and to devise measures for the prevention of the recurrence of such a terrible catastrophe. He was assisted by engineers from the Public Works Department of Hyderabad State, and after much investigation and deliberation, they concluded that the immunity of Hyderabad city from flood must come from the construction of flood catchment areas in the basin above the city. [16] They proposed to construct these reservoirs a few miles north of the capital.

A dam was built under noted engineer Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung Bahadur in 1920 across the river, ten miles (16 km) upstream from the city, called Osman Sagar. In 1927, another reservoir was built on Esi (tributary of Musi) and named Himayat Sagar. These lakes prevent the flooding of the River Musi and are major drinking water sources for Hyderabad city. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyderabad State</span> Princely state in southern India (1724–1948)

Hyderabad State was a princely state in the south-central Deccan region of India with its capital at the city of Hyderabad. It is now divided into the present-day state of Telangana, the Kalyana-Karnataka region of Karnataka, and the Marathwada region of Maharashtra in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daagh Dehlvi</span> Indian poet (1831-1905)

Nawab Mirza Khan Daagh Dehlvi was a poet known for his Urdu ghazals. He belonged to the old Delhi school of Urdu poetry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Musi River (India)</span> River in Telangana, India

The Musi River is a major tributary of the Krishna River in the Deccan Plateau, flowing through Telangana, India. The river's historical name is Muchukunda. Hyderabad stands on the banks of the Musi River, which divides the historic Old City from the new city. The Musi River flows into Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar, which are artificial lakes that act as reservoirs that once supplied the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad with drinking water. It originates in the Ananthagiri Hills, near Vikarabad. It generally flows towards the east, turning south at Chittaloor. It flows into the Krishna River at Vadapally near Miryalaguda in Nalgonda district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahboob Ali Khan</span> Sipah Salar, Fath Jang, Nizam of Hyderabad, GCB, GCSI

Asaf Jah VI, also known as Sir Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Siddiqi, was the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad. He ruled Hyderabad State, one of the princely states of India, between 1869 and 1911.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mir Osman Ali Khan</span> Last and 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, 1911–1948

Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII was the last Nizam (ruler) of Hyderabad State, the largest state in the erstwhile British Indian Empire. He ascended the throne on 29 August 1911, at the age of 25 and ruled the State of Hyderabad between 1911 and 1948, until the Indian Union annexed it. He was styled as His Exalted Highness (H.E.H) the Nizam of Hyderabad, and was widely considered one of the world's wealthiest people of all time. With some estimates placing his wealth at 2% of U.S. GDP, his portrait was on the cover of Time magazine in 1937. As a semi-autonomous monarch, he had his mint, printing his currency, the Hyderabadi rupee, and had a private treasury that was said to contain £100 million in gold and silver bullion, and a further £400 million of jewels. The major source of his wealth was the Golconda mines, the only supplier of diamonds in the world at that time. Among them was the Jacob Diamond, valued at some £50 million, and used by the Nizam as a paperweight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nizam College</span> Constituent college of Osmania University

The Nizam College is a constituent college of Osmania University established in 1887 during the reign of Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, in Basheerbagh, Hyderabad, Telangana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afzal-ud-Daulah</span> 8th Nizam of Hyderabad, India, from 1857 to 1869

Afzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah VMir Tahniyat Ali Khan Siddiqi was the eighth Nizam of Hyderabad, India, from 1857 to 1869.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asaf Jahi dynasty</span> Muslim dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Hyderabad from 1734 to 1948

The Asaf Jahi was a Muslim dynasty that ruled the Hyderabad State. The family came to India in the late 17th century and became employees of the Mughal Empire. They were great patrons of Indo-Persian culture, language, and literature, and the family found ready patronage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asman Jah</span> Hyderabadi politician

His Excellency Amir e Paigah Basheerd-Ud-daula Azam-Ul-Umra Amir-e-Akbar Nawab Sir Muhammad Mazharuddin Khan Bahadur Rifa’at Jang, commonly known as Sir Asman Jah or Nawab Sir Asman Jah Bahadur, Asman Jah was one of those fortunate individuals to whom it has been given by fate to write their names large in the annals of their country, he was an Indian noble and member of the Great Paigah Family who served as Prime Minister of Hyderabad from 1887 to 1894. As the grandson of the premier noble Fakhr Uddin Khan Amir e Kabir Shams-ul-Umra I and of a princess of the blood, his social position was a great one; but the personal qualities he possessed, inherited largely from his grandfather, were unquestionably the means of bringing him to the front. Singularly gifted by nature as far as the outward man was concerned and excelling in all manly pursuits, he easily took the lead among his peers. But it was his mental and moral equipment which attracted the notice of his royal master while yet the young noble was in early manhood. Such was the promise he showed that His Highness the Afzal-ud-Daulah gave him his daughter in marriage and bestowed on him the highest distinction in his gift, the title of Jah.in 1869, Asman Jah entered on his public career as Minister of Justice. A little later on, while still retaining the portfolio of Justice, he acted as prime minister and co-regent. Later still he became a Member of the Council of Regency, and finally in 1887 he was appointed prime minister and continued to hold the office till 1893. In this connection it may be noted that throughout his long official career, Sir Asman Jah refused to take any salary while willing to take office he steadily persisted im refusing the emoluments of office. Elis regime as Premier was marked by several reforms, notably the advance made in education, the extension of medical aid by the State, especially aid to women, and the establishment of a permanent Board of Irrigation and city water supply, which has since been of excellent service to the State, Asman Jah was still in London when he got the news of his having been-appointed Prime Minister and one of the first to congratulate him on his appointment was his late Majesty King Edward VIL, then Prince of Wales, Asman Jah built several architectures throughout the city like Asman Garh Palace, Basheer Bagh Palace, saroonagar palace and Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower. Just before he was appointed to the premiership he was deputed by His Highness the late Nizam, Mahboob Ali Khan, to proceed in 1887 to London as his representative at the Golden Jubilee of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria. While in England he won golden opinions by the tact, savoir faire and high breeding he displayed His handsome presence, imposing address and polished manners impressed all classes of English Society and he became a great favourite in court circles. Indeed, the late Nizam could not have had a more dignified or worthier representative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kishen Pershad</span> Prime Minister of Hyderabad (1864–1940)

Maharaja Sir Kishen Pershad Bahadur Yamin us-Sultanat was an Indian noble who served as Prime Minister of Hyderabad twice.

Osmania General Hospital (OGH) is one of the oldest hospitals in India located at Afzal Gunj, Hyderabad. It is named after its founder – Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad. It is run by the Government of Telangana, and is one of the largest healthcare facilities in the state. It was built at a cost of 2,00,00,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old City (Hyderabad, India)</span> Walled city in Telangana, India

The Old City of Hyderabad is a walled city of Hyderabad, Telangana, India, located on the banks of the Musi River built by Qutb Shahi sultan Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 AD. There used to be a wall surrounding the Old City, most of which is destroyed. Mubariz Khan, the Mughal governor of Deccan Subah, had fortified the city in 1712 and was completed by Nizam of Hyderabad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amjad Hyderabadi</span>

Amjad Hyderabadi Birth name Syed Ahmed Hussain(Urdu: سيد احمد حسين‎; 1888–1961), better known by the pen-name Amjad Hyderabadi, was an Urdu and Persian Ruba'i poet from Hyderabad, India. In Urdu poetic circles he is also known as Hakim-al-Shuara.

Nampally Sarai" Tipu Khan sarai" is a heritage resting place (caravanserai) located at Nampally in Hyderabad, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Hyderabad</span> Overview of the culture of Hyderabad (India)

The culture of Hyderabad, also known as Hyderabadi Tehzeeb or Dakhini Tehzeeb, is the traditional cultural lifestyle of the Hyderabadi Muslims, and characterizes distinct linguistic and cultural traditions of North and South India, which meet and mingle in the city and erstwhile kingdom. This blending was the result of the geographic location of the region and the variety of historical dynasties that ruled the city across different periods—its inception by the Qutub Shahi dynasty in 1591 AD, the occupation by the Mughal Empire and its decline, and the patronage under the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

Hyderabad is the capital of the Indian state of Telangana. It is a historic city noted for its many monuments, temples, mosques and bazaars. A multitude of influences have shaped the character of the city in the last 400 years.

The Telangana Housing Board, formally known as City Improvement Board, is a public sector corporation under the Government of Telangana located in Hyderabad, Telangana. Its activities are to facilitate affordable housing to the citizens of Telangana. The board, which was formerly known as City Improvement Board until 1960, was conceived by Nizam Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII in 1911.

The localities and neighborhoods of Hyderabad have unique oral histories, dating to the time of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, over 400 years ago, and are named after various people and things. Some are named after a major building or structure in the locality, others named for individuals. The names are mostly in Telugu and Urdu, the major languages of the city. This is a list of localities, neighborhoods and streets of Hyderabad and their etymology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City Wall of Hyderabad</span>

The City Wall of Hyderabad was a city wall surrounding Hyderabad, although the city has expanded significantly beyond the wall. The wall used to enclose the area of present Old City of Hyderabad. The wall was around 6 miles (9.7 km) long and covered an area of 4+12 miles. It was made of large granite blocks which were abundantly available around the city.

References

Citations

  1. Law 1914, pp. 85–92.
  2. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Hyderabad (city)"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 14 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  3. "Los Angeles Herald 3 October 1908 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". Cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Ifthekhar, J. S. (11 July 2013). "Musing over the Musi". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  6. Ifthekhar, J. S. (28 September 2012). "Remembering the deluge of 1908". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  7. "This tamarind tree at Osmania General Hospital still stands tall". Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  8. 1 2 Lynton, 1974, pp. 18.
  9. "Flood markers etched in memory". The New Indian Express. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  10. Ifthekhar, J. S. (28 September 2012). "Remembering the deluge of 1908". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  11. "Hyderabad to observe 104th anniversary of Musi flood". The Siasat Daily. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  12. "'Sixth Nizam made offerings to appease raging Musi'". The Hindu. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  13. 1 2 Sucharita, Swati. "Remembering an angry Musi…". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  14. Murali, D (22 April 2006). "Floods proved a blessing in disguise". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 14 May 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  15. 1 2 Shahid, Sajjad (30 September 2012). "Sitamber: the harbinger of torment". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  16. Law 1914, p. 85.

Bibliography