As Srinagar and surrounding areas continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating floods, Zahid G. Muhammad has devoted his latest column in the Greater Kashmir newspaper to a reflection on the historical parallels - and on the scale of the task of rebuilding.
Here's the link to his column, entitled 'Towards Rebuilding Kashmir' - and a brief extract is posted here:
'Historically, floods and Kashmir have been made for each other. Chronicles and folklore of Kashmir is full of stories about ravages caused by heavy downpour and floods. ...
'The Sultans of Kashmir took steps to prevent frequent recurrence of floods in Kashmir. The capital was shifted to the foot of Koh-i-Maran hillock in the middle of the city. And after the floods of 1462, the embankments of Jhelum were raised and strengthened, as had been done in 9th century by Suyya. River bed at Baramulla was deepened ‘for speedy discharge’ of waters. History also tells us that after devastating floods of 1638, Mogul emperor Shah Jehan personally supervised the relief work and worked zealously to see death toll reduced. Hardly has been a period in our history that has not witnessed a deluge. ...
'The nearest comparison to the flood of 7 September 2014 could be that of July 1893, as documented by Sir Walter R. Lawrence and captured through the lens by a British photographer / tourist from Takhet-e-Sulieman, the Mount Solomon. Fifty two hours incessant rains had deluged almost the entire city. Of the six bridge of the Srinagar city, the flood waters had washed five of them. ‘Amira Kadal the first bridge had withstood the floods but was underwater.’ Across the valley the floods had destroyed 2225 houses.'
Here's the link to his column, entitled 'Towards Rebuilding Kashmir' - and a brief extract is posted here:
'Historically, floods and Kashmir have been made for each other. Chronicles and folklore of Kashmir is full of stories about ravages caused by heavy downpour and floods. ...
'The Sultans of Kashmir took steps to prevent frequent recurrence of floods in Kashmir. The capital was shifted to the foot of Koh-i-Maran hillock in the middle of the city. And after the floods of 1462, the embankments of Jhelum were raised and strengthened, as had been done in 9th century by Suyya. River bed at Baramulla was deepened ‘for speedy discharge’ of waters. History also tells us that after devastating floods of 1638, Mogul emperor Shah Jehan personally supervised the relief work and worked zealously to see death toll reduced. Hardly has been a period in our history that has not witnessed a deluge. ...
'The nearest comparison to the flood of 7 September 2014 could be that of July 1893, as documented by Sir Walter R. Lawrence and captured through the lens by a British photographer / tourist from Takhet-e-Sulieman, the Mount Solomon. Fifty two hours incessant rains had deluged almost the entire city. Of the six bridge of the Srinagar city, the flood waters had washed five of them. ‘Amira Kadal the first bridge had withstood the floods but was underwater.’ Across the valley the floods had destroyed 2225 houses.'
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