Kundi Bhandara-Timeless Water Wonder

The perfection of Kundi Bhandara is an insight into the engineering expertise of medieval India. This water marvel built 400 years ago, continues to baffle modern day engineers. How, back then. one could even consider the possibility of cutting rocks through mountains to meet water demands? This job was done in the absence of technology and machines in that era, which are nowadays available to locate the presence of water under-ground. It’s a fine example of the feat attainable by the human brain. When Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khana spotted this water source above 6 Kms. away from the town at the foothills of Satpura range, he immediately set about investigating and working on the possibility of bringing water into the city.He conceived of a groundwater based scheme and then devised underground tunnels and infiltration galleries which would supply, water to the town. Bhandaras (storage tanks) collected the groundwater from under-ground springs flowing from the Satpura hills towards the Tapti. Furthermore, water was moved and raised in a way so as not to lose its mineral value. Care was taken to allow fresh air and sun rays to pass through and purify water naturally. Even today the ph value of water is 7.2. making it a lot more purified than water processed using modern technology. Apart from his contribution of priceless dohas containing invaluable life lessons, Rahim’s water wisdom is a boon which continues to quench the thirst of residents of Burhanpur.

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