Purana pul

Purana Pul
Coordinates17°22′03″N 78°27′30″E / 17.36755°N 78.458278°E / 17.36755; 78.458278
Carriespedestrians
CrossesMusi River
LocaleHyderabad, Telangana, India
Characteristics
Total length600 ft
Width35 ft
History
Inaugurated1578; 446 years ago (1578) CE
Location
Map

Purana Pul (meaning old bridge in English), built in 1578 AD is a bridge over river Musi[1] in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is the first bridge ever constructed in Hyderabad[2] and among the oldest in South India.

It was built during the reign of Qutub Shahi dynasty, to connect Golconda and Hyderabad. The bridge is now defunct, and is used as a vegetable market but remains one of the oldest landmarks of Hyderabad.[3] It was the only surviving bridge after the Great Musi Flood of 1908.

History

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People crossing the Purana Pul, c. 1880s. The Purana Pul Darwaza is seen at the end of the bridge.

Prince Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah was in love with Bhagmati, a Hindu woman who lived on the other side of river Musi. His father Sultan Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah decided to build the bridge so that his son could cross over the river safely. For this reason, it was also known as 'Pyar-ana pul' (meaning 'On Love Bridge' in English).[4]

The Bridge

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The bridge has 22 arches and is 600 feet long and 35 feet broad and 54 feet above the riverbed.[5] The government organised Valentine's Day in the year 2000 on this bridge, which is recognised as the bridge of lovers.[6]

View of Purana Pul Darwaza in 1920

Purana Pul Darwaza

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There is a gateway called the Purana Pul Darwaza (lit: "Old bridge door") at the end of the bridge. It is one of the two surviving gateways of the city of Hyderabad, which was then enclosed by a city wall.[7][8]


Reference List

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  1. ^ http://ec2-50-19-248-237.compute-1.amazonaws.com/866/1/RA_00105.pdf [permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ "Hyderabad | Encyclopedia.com".
  3. ^ Harriet Ronken Lynton, Mohini Rajan (1974). The days of the beloved. university of California. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-520-02442-7. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  4. ^ Bilgrami, Syed Ali Asgar (1992). Landmarks of the Deccan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Archaeological Remains of the City and Suburbs of Hyderabad. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 9788120605435.
  5. ^ "Puranapul Puranapul Hyderabad - Total Hyderabad". Archived from the original on 28 March 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  6. ^ "400 సంవత్సరాల చరిత్ర.. కులీకుత్‌బ్‌షా, భాగమతి ప్రేమకు చిహ్నం." Sakshi (in Telugu). 11 February 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  7. ^ Nanisetti, Serish (12 February 2017). "Purana Pul bastion to stand in full glory". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Ancient walls, temples in Hyderabad get facelift". Telangana Today. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
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