Making Of The Mullaperiyar Dam, 1895 Print
This is a page from the 1895 London newspaper “The Graphic”, titled “An Indian Engineering Feat: The Periyar Project.” It measures 16 x 11 inches. The Mullaperiyar Dam is undoubtedly an engineering marvel built under the most adverse conditions then.
The Periyar river was one of the largest rivers in the then Travancore state or Kerala today. It flows through a valley, the Madras Presidency in c1867 decided to build a dam across the Periyar river. Mainly to supply water, a much-needed liquid treasure to the parched Madura districts on the other side of the mountain.
They entrusted the planning and execution of the work to two British engineers, Major Ryves and Colonel Pennycuick. Not a simple task for a colossal project of this magnitude. When considering the place was heavily forested, the nearest railway station was 160km away, it was a hotbed of malaria, sudden and violent floods and so on.
Despite the hurdles, they lay the foundation stone in c1890 and the dam completed in c1895 at a height of 164 feet. The Mullaperiyar Dam is a gravity dam, built with lime surki and mortar. Cement did not make an appearance in the construction field at that time in India.
Read more Mullaperiyar Dam in Wikipedia.
Did you know- the Maharaja of Travancore, under the advice of the British Secretary India. Made a lease agreement of 999 years in favour of Madras Presidency.
From my collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal On Paper Nude (#3)., Cotton Bales At Bombay Terminus – Old Print 1862., Vintage Book 1925 – John L. Stoddard’s Lectures On India., Salsette or Mumbai Suburban – Vintage Map 1893., A British Soldier’s Farewell In Bombay – Old Postcard 1908
