Satpula dam
09.04.2024
Satpula dam
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For Prelims: About Satpula dam |
Why in the news?
Delhi’s oldest surviving Satpula dam, which was built during the 14th-century, still stands strong.
About Satpula dam:
- Satpula (‘sat’ means seven and ‘pull’ means openings of a bridge) was constructed during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Shah Tughlaq (1325-1351). It was built using Delhi quartz, a stone found in the Aravallis.
- It was developed as an integral component of the defence wall of the fourth city of Delhi, Jahanpanah. The dam served two purposes: Providing a reliable source of water for irrigation, and acting as a defence against possible intruders.
- It was developed by identifying appropriate topography, i.e., a large open plain where water can be stored for irrigating large flat lands. Hence, this structure with sluice gates and a reservoir was developed.
- Since Sufi saint Nasiruddin Mahmud (popularly known as Chirag Dehlavi) used to live nearby, people used to believe that the canal water had healing properties.
- For centuries, the area used to host a Diwali mela and the attendees would take a holy dip in the waters and even collect some to take home.
Source: Indian Express