Delhi Yamuna Red Fort History: Due to the increase in the water level of Yamuna in the country’s capital, flood situation has arisen in many areas. After several days of rain and the water released from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana, the Yamuna went out of control. Hundreds of people living in the areas around the river have been evacuated. With this, the water of Yamuna again reached the place where the river used to flow centuries ago. Yes, the years old scene has come alive once again.
It can be seen in the 19th century paintings of the Mughal city of Shahjahanabad that the Red Fort on one side and the Salimgarh Fort on the other and the Yamuna river flowed through them. This scene was again in front of everyone’s eyes during the floods on Thursday (July 13).
Yamuna’s water level broke 45 years old record
The water level of Yamuna river, which is often discussed in Delhi for its pollution, had increased to 208.66 meters on Thursday evening. Which broke the 45 year old record. In 1978, the water level of the Yamuna river had reached 207.49 metres. The danger mark of Yamuna river in Delhi is at 205.33 metres.
Due to increase in the water level of Yamuna on Thursday, the roads of Delhi were inundated. The Ring Road was submerged, the walls of Red Fort and Salimgarh Fort were flooded. Kashmiri Gate, Civil Lines, ITO and Rajghat were also waterlogged. Even during the 1978 flood in Delhi, Ring Road and many residential areas were flooded.
Yamuna reached where it used to flow
The water of Yamuna river, which once flowed near Red Fort and Salimgarh Fort, once again reached there. Salimgarh Fort was built in 1546 by Salim Shah Suri, son of Sher Shah Suri. While the Red Fort was built in 1648 on the west bank of the Yamuna River. Mazhar Ali Khan made an album of about 130 paintings from the Mughal and pre-Mughal monuments of Delhi.
The relationship between Red Fort and Yamuna is old
In this album Yamuna river is flowing between the two forts and a bridge used to connect them. This bridge was built on the orders of Bahadur Shah Zafar. There were 14 gates in Delhi, including the ‘Water Gate’ (Yamuna Gate), also known as Khijri Darwaza. It used to open directly towards the river. Only Delhi Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate and Nigambodh Gate are left. The rest including Lahori Darwaza, Kabuli Darwaza, Lal Darwaza and Khijri Darwaza have been finished long back.
Shah Jahan came to the Red Fort through Khizri Darwaza
Shah Jahan first came to the Red Fort via the Yamuna and entered his new house through its Khijri Darwaza. Historian Rana Safvi told The Indian Express that when the Red Fort was inaugurated, Shah Jahan entered through the Khijri Darwaza. Celebrations were on and the fort was lit up with candles. This is the same door from where Bahadur Shah Zafar came out on the night of 17 September 1857 after the fall of the Mughal Sultanate from Delhi.
Slowly the river changed its course
Yamuna used to fulfill many needs of the fort. Safavi told that the river had played an important role in choosing the location of the fort. It not only acted as a barrier but also met the water needs of the growing population. Where the river flows, the weather is also more pleasant. In the last several decades, the river gradually changed its course.
Writer Sohail Hashmi said that the Yamuna was supposed to protect the Red Fort, but during the time of Muhammad Shah ‘Rangeela’ (reigned 1719-48) it started receding. According to Hashmi, when it was decided to shift the country’s capital to Delhi, the Coronation Park area was originally suggested as the location for the new buildings, but in the monsoon of 1911 the Coronation Park-Kingsway Camp area, Civil Lines and many parts of Model Town were flooded. After which it was decided to establish the capital at Raisina Hill.
Why did Yamuna move away from Red Fort?
Manu Bhatnagar, principal director of the Natural Heritage Division of INTACH, told The Indian Express that river diversions are not unusual in the northern part of the country. One reason for this is believed to be the movement of the Indian tectonic plate.
He said that the plate is moving towards the north. This is the reason why the Himalayas are rising. This is also believed to be one of the reasons for the Yamuna moving towards the east. Apart from this, the possibility of changing the course of a river is more in the alluvial plains of North India. He said that if we look at the course of Ganga from 1786 till now, there are places where it has changed its course up to 34 km.
Bhatnagar said that the river in Budaun (UP) has gone 10 km away from where it was earlier. You will find ghats at many places on the banks of the river, but no water. You can find many such bridges which were once built over the river, but now there is no water there. Because the river later changed its course.
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