Omar Bennett
The seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, constituted a City Improvement Trust in 1912. The Nizams of Hyderabad were the rulers of the princely state of Hyderabad, which was established in 1724 by Asaf Jah I, who broke away from the Mughal Empire. The Nizams were known for their immense wealth and patronage of art, culture, and architecture, and they played a significant role in the history of Deccan India. Mir Osman Ali Khan was the final recognized Nizam of Hyderabad and was removed from power in 1948 when Hyderabad became part of Independent India.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mir Osman Ali Khan |
| Title | Seventh Nizam |
| Year | 1912 |
| Reason | To prevent a recurrence of the Great Musi Flood of 1908 and improve civic amenities |
| Actions Taken | Built a flood control system on the river with the help of engineers from the Public Works Department of Hyderabad State; invited M. Visvesvaraya to advise and assist in the reconstruction of the city |
| Result | A dam was built across the river, ten miles upstream from the city, in 1920, and was named Osman Sagar |
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What You'll Learn
- The seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, constituted the City Improvement Trust
- The trust was formed in response to the devastating 1908 Great Musi Flood
- The flood killed 50,000 people and destroyed 80,000 houses
- The Nizam invited M. Visvesvaraya to advise on flood prevention measures
- The City Improvement Trust's efforts led to the creation of the Osman Sagar dam
The seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, constituted the City Improvement Trust
The City Improvement Trust was part of a series of measures to prevent such a catastrophe from reoccurring. The Nizam invited M. Visvesvaraya to advise and assist in the reconstruction of the city and to devise flood prevention measures. Visvesvaraya was assisted by engineers from the Public Works Department of Hyderabad State, and they proposed the construction of flood catchment areas and reservoirs in the basin above the city. A dam was built upstream from the city in 1920, named Osman Sagar.
Mir Osman Ali Khan was the final recognised Nizam of Hyderabad, ruling from 1911 until 1948 when Hyderabad became part of India. The Nizams of Hyderabad were the rulers of the princely state of Hyderabad, which was established in 1724 and lasted until 1948. The Nizams were known for their immense wealth and patronage of art, culture, and architecture, and they played a significant role in the history of Deccan India.
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The trust was formed in response to the devastating 1908 Great Musi Flood
The Great Musi Flood of 1908 was a catastrophic event that wreaked havoc on the city of Hyderabad, the capital of the Hyderabad State. The floodwaters ravaged the city, killing thousands of people and leaving countless others homeless. This devastating natural disaster prompted the ruler of Hyderabad, the Nizam, to take decisive action to recover and protect the city.
The Seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of his people in the aftermath of the flood. He opened the gates of his palace to anyone seeking help and relief, offering prompt support and assistance. Additionally, he contributed generously to a relief fund, with the state providing 500,000 rupees and an additional 1,000,000 rupees raised through public subscription. The Nizam's efforts extended beyond immediate relief, as he also focused on implementing measures to prevent such a catastrophe from occurring again.
In 1912, four years after the Great Musi Flood, the Nizam constituted a City Improve Trust. This trust was formed with the primary goal of enhancing the city's resilience to flooding and improving civic amenities. The Nizam enlisted the expertise of M. Visvesvaraya, inviting him to advise and assist in the reconstruction of Hyderabad. Visvesvaraya, along with engineers from the Public Works Department of Hyderabad State, proposed the construction of flood catchment areas in the basin above the city to protect it from future flooding.
The proposals put forth by Visvesvaraya and the engineering team were instrumental in shaping the flood control measures implemented in Hyderabad. Their recommendations included the construction of reservoirs located a few miles north of the city. These reservoirs would act as a buffer, helping to regulate water levels and mitigate the impact of potential flooding. The construction of these flood control structures was a significant undertaking, aimed at safeguarding Hyderabad from the devastating effects of future flood events.
The formation of the City Improve Trust and the subsequent implementation of flood control measures reflected the Nizam's dedication to the long-term resilience and well-being of his people. By seeking expert advice and investing in infrastructure projects, he laid the foundation for a more secure future for Hyderabad. The trust played a pivotal role in the city's recovery from the Great Musi Flood and contributed to the development of flood resilience, ensuring that the city became better equipped to face similar challenges in the years to come.
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The flood killed 50,000 people and destroyed 80,000 houses
The Great Musi Flood of 1908 was a catastrophic event that caused immense devastation and loss of life in Hyderabad, the capital of the Hyderabad State. The floodwaters ravaged the city, killing an estimated 50,000 people and leaving an indelible mark on the survivors. The floodwaters did not discriminate, sweeping away entire families, including that of the young Urdu poet Amjad Hyderabadi, who lost his mother, wife, and daughter. Hyderabadi's subsequent poetry reflects the profound grief and trauma that consumed him in the wake of this tragedy.
The impact of the flood extended beyond the loss of life, as it also destroyed approximately 80,000 houses, rendering a significant portion of the city's population homeless. The deluge washed away three bridges—the Afzal, Mussallam Jung, and Chaderghat—leaving the Puranapul bridge as the sole connection between the two halves of the city. The force of the water was so intense that it completely obliterated the Nizam Hospital, burying its patients. The floodwaters also wreaked havoc on the city's infrastructure, uprooting a 200-year-old tamarind tree and causing widespread destruction.
In the aftermath of the flood, the Seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, demonstrated proactive leadership by constituting a City Improve Trust in 1912. He invited M. Visvesvaraya to advise on the reconstruction of the city and to devise measures to prevent future disasters. Engineers from the Public Works Department of Hyderabad State provided crucial support, and their investigations led to the construction of flood catchment areas and reservoirs located a few miles north of the city. These measures culminated in the construction of the Osman Sagar dam in 1920, named in honour of the Nizam, which served as a critical line of defence against potential future floods.
The response to the flood by the Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, was both culturally sensitive and compassionate. He performed religious rituals and offered puja to the river as per Hindu customs, demonstrating his respect for the beliefs of his people. Additionally, he opened the gates of his palace to offer help and relief to those in need, providing a much-needed lifeline during this crisis. The state bore the cost of a relief fund of 500,000 rupees, and the Nizam himself made a substantial donation to the cause, further demonstrating his commitment to his people's well-being.
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The Nizam invited M. Visvesvaraya to advise on flood prevention measures
The sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mahboob Ali Khan, took several measures to prevent future flooding in the city. In 1908, the River Musi caused a catastrophic flood that killed 50,000 people and washed away three bridges. The river had a history of causing frequent floods in the city until the early 20th century.
In response to the 1908 flood, the Nizam personally supervised rescue operations, distributed relief supplies, and opened the gates of the royal palaces for the victims. He also took measures to combat future floods, including commissioning M. Visvesvaraya as an adviser and consultant for Hyderabad's flood management plan. Visvesvaraya was a renowned Indian civil engineer, administrator, and statesman. He graduated in engineering in 1883 and worked as an assistant engineer for Bombay's Public Works Department for 25 years.
Visvesvaraya proposed the construction of storage reservoirs of adequate capacity above the city, which proved effective in controlling future floods. He also built a sewage farm and laid pipes to carry the city's sewage, preventing it from flowing into the river and reducing mosquito breeding. In 1911, Mahbub Ali Pasha passed away, and the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, took over the implementation of the plan. The construction of the Musi Reservoir began in March 1913, with the Nizam performing the foundation stone-laying ceremony.
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The City Improvement Trust's efforts led to the creation of the Osman Sagar dam
The Great Musi Flood of 1908 was a devastating natural disaster that killed thousands of people and destroyed thousands of homes in Hyderabad. The city of Hyderabad was the capital of the Hyderabad State, ruled by the Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan. The flood, locally known as Thughyani Sitambar, washed away three bridges and left a quarter of the population homeless.
In 1912, the Seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, constituted a City Improvement Trust to address the issues that had led to the flood. He invited M. Visvesvaraya to advise and assist in the reconstruction of the city and to devise measures to prevent future flooding. Visvesvaraya was assisted by engineers from the Public Works Department of Hyderabad State. They concluded that the city of Hyderabad needed flood catchment areas in the basin above the city to protect it from flooding. They proposed to construct reservoirs a few miles north of the capital.
In 1920, a dam was built across the Musi River, 16 km upstream from the city, and was named Osman Sagar. The dam created a reservoir that provided an additional source of drinking water for the city and helped protect it from future flooding. Osman Sagar is an important water reservoir for Hyderabad and has historical significance. It is also known as Gundipet, and its lake is around 46 square kilometres, with a reservoir of about 29 square kilometres. The total surface area of the reservoir is 1,790 square feet, and its capacity is 3.9 tmc.
The City Improvement Trust's efforts led by the Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, resulted in the creation of the Osman Sagar dam, which protected the city of Hyderabad from future flooding and provided an additional source of drinking water. The dam is a testament to the Trust's successful efforts to improve the city's resilience and ensure its access to a vital resource.
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Frequently asked questions
Mir Osman Ali Khan, the Seventh Nizam, constituted a City Improve Trust in 1912.
The first Nizam of Hyderabad was Asaf Jah I, also known as Chin Qilich Khan.
The City Improve Trust was constituted in 1912.
The City Improve Trust was constituted to prevent the recurrence of devastating floods, such as the Great Musi Flood of 1908, which killed 50,000 people.
The Nizam invited M. Visvesvaraya to advise and assist in the reconstruction of the city and to devise measures to prevent future catastrophes. He was assisted by engineers from the Public Works Department of Hyderabad State. They proposed the construction of flood catchment areas and reservoirs a few miles north of the city, and a dam was built upstream from the city in 1920.
