Bidar is a town situated near the northeastern tip of Karnataka that gained popularity during the 15th century. In 1425, Ahmad Shah Bahmani decided to shift his capital to Bidar which led to further development of the town. Naubad, a small locality in Bidar, was probably being developed around this time; Naubad refers to a new population, ‘a new abaadi’. In the process of its development, the karez was constructed. Bidar has a dense karez system with three extensive systems which are Mori Karez and Shukla Teerth Karez, in addition to Naubad Karez.
Karez can be defined as horizontal subterranean channels that were supposed to help in tapping, conveying and distributing water over large areas. Also called Qanat, these tunnels carry water from areas of supply to the areas of scarcity or need. The concept is originally Persian, brought to India during the 15th century by Muslim rulers and was used to supply water in the drier areas of the Deccan. While various Karez systems were dug out, Naubad Karez is one of the longest –2 kilometres from the mother well to the end – and, more recently, people have been actively trying to restore the structure. The benefit of having tunnels is that they prevent evaporation and contamination of water. The cave-like channels are resistant to earthquakes and floods, war destructions and even rainfall variations.
The karez system is usually based on gravity where the water flows from a higher source point to a lower area. In middle eastern examples, the source of the karez is usually an area of heavy rainfall which takes water to dry areas. Naubad karez, like other karez systems of Bidar, is particularly interesting as it transports water from areas of lower altitudes to areas of higher. The karez has 57 vents probably used for drawing up water or storage as can be paralleled with Central Asian examples of Karez. When water hits the depressions made for storage, the water level rises and thus creating an inner flow. This karez flows from the southwest to the northeast direction.
There is water flowing now, thanks to Govindankutty, a representative of the Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation who, in 2012, brought to light this genius medieval city infrastructure. The mouth of the karez lies near the Siddheshwara temple and other vents are at an interval of 50 metres each. The karez is a unique example of geo-hydraulic technology exhibiting a history of holding ponds, water footprints, reservoirs, streams etc. that show a linked network between the land-use and the karez system.
The marvel, however, lost its charm with time. Pollution being the main issue, the openings are treated as sewage and water from open drains also seeps into the tunnels. The increased nitrate concentration makes the water unfit for consumption – as some locals continue to use it for that purpose. The karez originally relied primarily on underground water but after restoration, the karez works more on a watershed approach. The restoration, which took place during the drought in Bidar (and nearby places) in 2017 helped people overcome the catastrophe to a certain extent.
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Hiya, I’m Aadya Arora…
I am an undergraduate student of History and English. I like learning about Indian culture and heritage, understanding different aspects of it and widening the way I perceive it.
