Idgah Baoli Stepwell

Idgah Baoli Stepwell is located on the premises of the Qutb Shahi tombs in the Ibrahim Bagh (garden precinct), close to the famous Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, Telangana State, India.

The often-missed Idgah Baoli or stepwell, is in fact a massive monument built before most of the other things in the Qutb Shahi tombs. 

The Idgah Baoli is perhaps the grandest stepwell of all at Qutub Shahi Heritage Park built with hand-dressed granite stones with archway access on the south side. This baoli has a 2.8 million litres of water capacity that was revived.

In the marvellous garden of a stucco work necropolis of the Qutb Shahi tombs, it is a deep stepwell of dressed granite. While curvy flowy lines and stucco decorations are the norm in the tombs complex, the stepwell is all about straight lines and minimalistic design. Recently restored to the way it appears in archival images from 19th century by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, the effort has been aided by US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation. 

“It is probably one of the earliest structures here, along with the Idgah and might pre-date the necropolis. The other boalis (stepwells) are built on rocky outcrops. This one is built into the earth with huge blocks of hand-dressed stone blocks and masonry,” informs Ratish Nanda of Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which is working in coordination with the State government to restore the tombs complex.

The Qutb Shahi tombs is the royal necropolis of the Qutb Shahi or Golconda dynasty (1518-1687), which once ruled from the Golconda fort, and later founded Hyderabad in 1591. The tombs complex comprises nearly 100 structures, including tombs, gardens, pavilions, a Turkish bath (Hamam)and mosques. The site is currently being restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) in association with the Telangana Department of Heritage.

The site is becoming a major attraction for tourists thanks to its restoration by the AKTC. The Qutb Shahi tombs was historically connected to the Golconda fort, which was a walled-city before Hyderabad was founded in 1591. However, today, due to local encroachments on the site, the pathway connecting the fort and the tombs complex has been built upon.

The Qutb Shahi tombs site has six Baolis or stepwells. According to experts, the water bodies were all connected to the Durgam Cheruvu (lake) in Hyderabad historically. Unfortunately, the old water channels connecting the lake to the stepwells have been lost due to modern encroachments or ‘development’. Unlike the other stepwells, the Idgah Baoli was built with fully dressed granite stones, which gives the impression that it was built as a monument.

AKTC experts working at the Qutb Shahi tombs believe that the Eidgah and its Baoli in fact are the earliest buildings at the site. It is also believed that the Baoli was built for the Eidgah or public usage during Eid. The first major tomb in the necropolis is that of Sultan Quli, the founding king of the Golconda empire (1518-43). Originally from Hamadan in Iran, he came to India towards the end of the 15th century, eventually founding the empire. 

The Baolis in the Qutb Shahi tombs complex were all built at different times and stages by the kings (and others) who are buried at the site. Earlier excavations at the necropolis also found that a small informal settlement near the Hamam that predates the site.
 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/stepwell-in-qutb-shahi-tombs-complex-restored/article37481798.ece

https://www.siasat.com/hyderabad-the-idgah-baoli-in-qutb-shahi-tombs-is-an-architectural-gem-2469019/

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Badi Baoli Stepwell

Badi Baoli Stepwell is located  on the premises of the Qutb Shahi tombs, one of the first to come up near the entrance is the Badi Baoli (step well), built more than 400 years ago by Sultan Qutb-ul-Mulk, the first ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty.

The huge quadrangle edifice, which looks like anything but a well has been brought back to life after a part of it had collapsed due to heavy rains, whose conservation was supported by Tata Trusts, that was revived to its former glory from the brink of total collapse.

The Badi Baoli, that literally translates as the 'big stepwell' is one of six historic stepwells located at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park.

Since its restoration in 2016, almost 2 crore liters stored in the Badi baoli have been used for construction and irrigation projects.

“The six baolis, and one well, are strategically placed around the tombs so all the rainwater can drain into them. Over the years, a lot of alterations were made to the grading levels. Therefore, during our efforts, we placed trench drains and catch basins to ensure that rain water reached the wells,” said Yoshowanth.

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) in association with the Telangana Department of Heritage has been working on restoring the Qutb Shahi tombs to their full glory for the past many years. The six baolis Badi, Hamam, Bagh, Western, Idgah and Eastern are all fully restored.

https://www.siasat.com/hyderabad-6-baolis-being-restored-in-qutb-shahi-heritage-park-2385242/

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Zafar Baoli Stepwell

Zafar Baoli stepwell is located inside Khammam Fort built by Kakatiya rulers in 950 AD . Khammam Municipal Corporation which in along with the district administration and archaeology department is restoring the 13th Century Zafar Baoli or stepwell in Telangana.

The officials want to make this well located inside the Khammam Fort a tourist attraction without affecting the original structure and design. Neglect over a period of time has damaged this historic place and made it dirty. Once a source of drinking water, the well turned into a dumping ground as the locals dumped garbage in it.

The well measuring 60 feet in length, 20 in width and 60 in depth was constructed by the Kakatiya rulers and is located in the southern part of the Fort which itself is spread in four square kilometres.

The original objective of this well was to provide drinking water to people and soldiers living in the fort. Though the construction took place under the Kakatiya regime it was developed by the Nizams with help from the French when Jaffer-ud-doula was the Khammam tahsildar.

https://www.indianarrative.com/culture-news/13th-century-khammam-fort-in-telangana-being-spruced-up-to-woo-tourists-144200.html

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Morancha Vagu

Origin / Start : Bhupalpally Forest Area. 

End: Joins Maner River near Kalvapalle, Jayashankar Bhupalpally District.

Length: Around 45 Kms

Tributaries: Medi Vagu (Ramappa Lake), Poddaru Vagu (Ghanapuram Lake)

Tributaries of Morancha Vagu

Medi Vagu joins Morancha Vagu near Palampet, Mulugu District.

Poddaru Vagu joins Morancha Vagu near Ghanapur, Mulugu District.

Jul 27, 2023 - Telangana Rains
Jul 27 2023,  4 AM : Moranchapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district
What started as a drizzle on the morning of July 26 turned into torrential rain by the night. “Moranchapalli was hit by rain like never before in the history of Telangana. It looks like rain, which we usually receive throughout the year, hit us on a single day, creating havoc. With a local stream, Moranchapalli Vagu, advancing towards village, The entire village with 300 houses with population of around 1900 was inundated by an increase in flood water levels in a stream in the suburbs, giving a sleepless night for all.” which wiped all their belongings, live stock, food and other assets. 

The villagers were forced to go to the roof-tops of their houses and trees since morning. Videos of the panic-stricken villagers making fervent appeals to the authorities to save them surfaced on social media that morning. Following the distress calls, the official machinery swung into action and dispatched NDRF teams along with inflatable rubber boats and other equipment to rescue them. 6 from Moranchapalli saved by Army copter

In a daring rescue operation amid heavy rains Indian Army helicopters and boats came to the aid of six trapped individuals in the Morancha stream in Nainpaka.

Read more at:

https://www.latestly.com/socially/india/news/telangana-rains-indian-army-helicopters-boats-carry-out-daring-rescue-operation-in-bhupalpally-district-save-stranded-villagers-amid-heavy-rains-watch-videos-5297114.html

Read more at:

https://www.latestly.com/socially/india/news/telangana-rains-indian-army-helicopters-boats-carry-out-daring-rescue-operation-in-bhupalpally-district-save-stranded-villagers-amid-heavy-rains-watch-videos-5297114.html

Jayashankar Bhupalpalli district witnessed very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with the Chityal mandal recording the highest 616.5 mm rainfall in the district in the 24 hours, ending at 8 a.m. in the morning.

Four people got lost in the floods due to heavy rains. The bodies of three villagers have been retrieved and 1 still missing.

Thousands of acres of land were flooded with heavy sand and the irrigation potential of the fields was lost. Due to this, sand and stone casting the farmers have been severely distressed. It would cost them a lot to get their fields back to cultivable state.

The devastating impact of the floods has rendered many villagers unemployed, leaving them desperate for work opportunities.

https://www.newstap.in/telangana/moranchapalli-villagers-thank-kcr-for-saving-them-by-sending-choppers-boats-1487047

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August 6

 August 6, 2023 : Folk singer, activist Gummadi Vittal Rao aka Gaddar dies at 77 due to ill health.

August 6, 1969 – Telangana agitation that took place in Secunderabad market area, near Rajeshwar talkies, a student named Rabindranath was killed following which the TPS called for a bandh on August 7 in Secunderabad area.

August 6, 1945 : Hiroshima Day: Hiroshima was torn apart by the US atomic bomb attack, in which about 1,40,000 people died by the end of the year.

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August 5

August 5, 1948: Government troops and Razakars clashed near the village of Yelsangi on August 5, 1948, resulting in the deaths of 25 Razakars. 

https://uca.edu/politicalscience/home/research-projects/dadm-project/asiapacific-region/indiahyderabad-1947-1949/

August 5, 2019, the Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah announced to revoke the Article 370 which gave 'special' status to the Jammu & Kashmir region. Shah announced that the state will be reorganised geographically.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/article-370

August 5, 2020: The temple construction officially started again after a Bhumi pujan ceremony on 5 August 2020. Three-day long Vedic rituals were held ahead of the ground-breaking ceremony, which revolved around the installation of a 40 kg silver brick as the foundation stone by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.

August 5, 1962: Iconic Hollywood movie star Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Los Angeles home at age 36 on this day in history, August 5, 1962.  The actress was discovered face down and lying nude on her bed holding a telephone in one hand, according to History.com

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Jampanna Vagu

Jampanna vagu / Laknavaram River / Sampangi Vagu joins Godavari river at Eturnagaram, Mulugu District.

Origin / Start : Bhupalpally Forest Range

End: Godavari River near Eturnagaram, Mulugu District

Length: Around 80 Kms

According to history, Jampanna was a tribal warrior and the son of tribal goddess Sammakka. The Jampanna Vagu took his name as he died in a battle fighting against the Kakatiyan Army in that stream.

Tribals believe that taking a holy dip in the water of Jampanna Vagu honours and reminds them of the sacrifice of their gods who saved them and also induces courage in their souls. There is a bridge constructed on top of Jampanna Vagu, known as the Jampanna Vagu Bridge.

According to a 13th-century tribal legend, some tribal leaders on a hunt found a newborn girl (Sammakka) enveloped in light playing amidst tigers. They took her to the tribal chief, who adopted and raised her as a leader. She later became the savior of the tribals of the region. She was married to Pagididda Raju, the tribal chief of the Koyas. The Kakatiyas (who ruled the region with its headquarters in Warangal City between 1000 AD and 1323 AD). Sammakka had two daughters and one son, Sarakka, Nagulamma, and Jampanna. King Prataprudra of the Kakatiyas imposed taxes on the Koya Tribe, which they could not pay. As a result, King Prataprudra declared war on the Koya Tribe. Pagididda Raju was killed in the ensuing battle forcing the grief-stricken Sammakka to pick up the fight with her daughter Saralamma, her son Jampanna and her son-in-law Govinda Raju. Sammakka had almost won when Saralamma died in the battle. Jampanna was mortally wounded and fell bleeding into Sampangi vaagu (stream). Legend has it that the stream turned red from the blood, and the vaagu was renamed "Jampanna Vaagu" in honor of Jampanna's sacrifice. Distraught, Sammakka retired to a hill called Chilakala Gutta and turned into a vermilion jar (Kumkum Bharani). To this day, the Koya tribe and devotees believe that Sammakka and Saralamma are manifestations of Adi Parashakti sent to protect them.

The jatara is a celebration to honor this sacrifice. The vermilion jar is brought to Medaram and washed in Jampanna Vaagu, followed by an offering of Jaggery to Sammakka and Saralamma.

Tributaries of Jampanna Vagu

Tummala vagu joins Jampanna vagu near Medaram, Mulugu District.

Kalyaniga Thogu joins Jampanna vagu near Padigapuram, Mulugu District.

Mathari Thogu joins Jampanna vagu near Padigapuram, Mulugu District.
Chinnapuram Thogu joins Jampanna vagu near Vengalapuram, Mulugu District.

Jalagalantha Thogu joins Jampanna Vagu near Muthapur

Vette Vagu join Jampanna Vagu near Pasra.

    Karlapalle Vagu joins Vette Vagu near Pasra.

Pedda Vagu joins Jampanna Vagu near Rangapur.

Sudda Vagu joins Jampanna Vagu near Rangapur.

Jul 27, 2023 - Telangana Rains

Unprecedented downpour on July 27, 2023 Wednesday night triggered flash floods in Mulugu district. At least 30 villages and hamlets in Eturnagaram, Mangapet and SS Tadwai mandals were inundated. Flood waters from Jampanna Vagu also inundated the famous Sammakka-Sarakka tribal shrine at Medaram in Tadwai mandal. Tribal leaders shifted idols and other material from the temple to a safe place.

With water overflowing Jamppanna vagu following heavy rains, two villages Kondai and Maliala of Eturnagaram mandal in Mulugu district were completely inundated with flood water.

As soon as people noticed heavy inflow of flood water into the villages, many of them saved their lives going on to the top of their houses. But around 20 members of the two villages are said to be washed away in the flood water.

The NDRF teams with the help of district administration and police were trying to rescue people from the village submerged in water from overflowing Jampanna Vagu, a rivulet. Villagers spent the night on roof-tops of a few houses, waiting for help. About 60-70 people are said to be stranded without food and water.

Telangana recorded the highest-ever rainfall in a single day with Mulugu district recording 649.8 mm by 8am on Thursday.

The highest rainfall of 64 cm was reported in Lakshmidevipet of Venkatapur mandal of Mulugu district. 51.5 cm of rainfall has been reported in Wajedu of Mulugu district.

Similarly, Chelpur, Regonda and Mogullapalli in the same district also logged the highest rainfall of the season – 475.8 mm, 467 mm and 394 mm respectivel

https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/heavy-rains-in-telangana-state-govt-seeks-army-help-811654

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