Construction Of The Mullaperiyar Dam Kerala, 1892 Print

Old 1892 print on the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam in Travancore State, now part of Kerala. This is a page from a British journal “Engineering” December 9, 1892. The famous dam is presently creating a lot of controversy and headache between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Located back then in the princely state of Travancore which is now part of Kerala state.

Severe drought regularly befell the farmlands of Madura districts (then under the Madras Presidency). Which lay on the eastern side of the river Periyar. Damming the Periyar river became an acute necessity to feed these perennially parched farmlands. But the task was confronted with challenges. The river located in the Western Ghats was a virtual jungle. Very isolated and far from any major inhabitation.

Nevertheless, the Madras Presidency administration under the British Raj took up the challenge. Work started around 1887 and by 1895 the dam was completed. This rare 1892 print shows the construction of the Mullaperiyar dam in progress. Since it was located in Travancore state, the then Maharaja made a lease agreement of 999 years favouring Madras Presidency. Today the dam is evidently over 100 years old and has outlasted its life. Click on the photo for better view.

See also my older post Making Of The Mullaperiyar Dam – Old Print 1895.

Did you know- that the surrounding areas have cardamom cultivation, a wildlife sanctuary, and tourist centers.

From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#7)., Backwater Canal Kerala – Old Postcard 1920., Rashtrapati Bhavan & Parliament New Delhi – Old Photo 1933., Vintage Photo Cochin State Forest Tramway 1919