Hyderabad , TELANGANA :
Mir Alam Tank is a fresh water tank in Hyderabad, located in the southern part of Musi River. It had been a primary source for drinking water to the city before the construction of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar.
The tank was named after Mir Alam Bahadur, the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad during the reign of Asaf Jah III, the third Nizam of Hyderabad State. Mir Alam Bahadur is believed to have laid the foundation for the tank on July 20, 1804 which was then completed in a period of two years and declared open on June 8, 1806. It was from the share of the treasure he got from Srirangapatnam that he built this tank.
It is indeed a treat to watch this engineering marvel that was built by a French engineering company, which comprised of 21 semicircular arches spread across one mile. It was reportedly planned by General Michel Joachim Marie Raymond, popularly known as Monsieur Raymond, the French Military General to whom Hyderabad’s Raymond Tomb has been dedicated and is the founder of Gunfoundry in Hyderabad.
Mir Alam Tank is a testimony to the efforts of Hyderabad’s erstwhile rulers who have used the topography of Deccan plateau to build vast water bodies. The boating facility is popular with tourists where one gets to enjoy the pleasant breeze and a refreshing experience. The cruise facility is available at an affordable price and the tourism department has introduced modern boats as well. During the peak time of Mir Alam Tank’s utilisation, historians say that the water of the tank was so sweet and pure that people carried them in containers to their home towns.
Nehru Zoological Park lies adjacent to this tank and boats are operated on the lake. It is a perfect tourist spot in Hyderabad. One can choose mechanised boats, steering boats or speed boats. With changing time patterns of the day, the lake acquires different hues. Several migratory birds make the precincts their home during different seasons while the dense vegetation of the Nehru Zoological Park at one side offers a tropical feel.
Compiled by Jaya Vellampalli
(This column features strikingly beautiful, yet lesser-known gems of Hyderabad, which have some intriguing tales related to them.)
source: http://www.metroindia.com / MetroIndia / Home> LifeStyle> Places / by Jaya Vellampalli / December 27th, 2015