Mir Alam Tank, abutting the Nehru Zoological Park has completed 200 glorious years, and over 125 of these in ensuring a continuous reliable drinking water supply to the denizens of the now old Hyderabad, till the time Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs were built.
Water of this tank was said to be so pure and sweet that people who got used to it much like the `Gandipet ka pani' in the later years, would carry it in special containers whenever they went out of Hyderabad on tour. Quite a contrast indeed, for the much-neglected historically important tank has now virtually turned into a cesspool full of domestic sewage and industrial waste endangering the flora and fauna of the zoo.
Originally spread over a large area, it has shrunk vastly with lot of encroachments coming up on the fringes, even as an attempt is being made by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority to `rejuvenate and beautify' the tank.
The tank is named after Mir Alam Bahadur (Syed Abdul Khasim), a nobleman of Hyderabad who went on to become Prime Minister during the reign of Nawab Sikander Jah, the third Nizam of Hyderabad. According to Mohammed Safiullah, managing trustee of the Deccan Heritage Trust, Mir Alam was among those who led the Nizam's forces in the battle against Tipu Sultan. It was from the share of the treasure he got from Srirangapatnam that he built the tank.
Mir Alam laid the foundation for the tank bearing a distinct French design stamp, on July 20, 1804, as a plaque still lying in a corner shows. It was completed in about two years on June 8, 1806. "It is a French marvel in a way, as the arched granite wall looks small but holds plenty of water," says Mr. Safiullah.
In the planning stage, even Monsieur Raymond, credited with setting up of Gunfoundry near Abids was also involved.
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