Ali Usman Baig : degh

Sunday 25 June 2023

The Five tributaries of River Ravi

The River Ravi, known for its historical and present significance, is enriched by several important tributaries. These tributaries, namely Ujh, Bein, Basantar, Deg, and Hudiara, have shaped the landscape and contributed to the vitality of the river throughout history. Let's explore each of these tributaries in detail to understand their characteristics and contributions.

1. Baein:

Originating in Jammu to the north of Shakargarh, the Baein is a substantial sandy torrent that traverses through the heart of the Tahsil Falls before merging with the River Ravi. Formed by the combined waters of the Tarnah and Bhabban, it receives additional inflow from the Hodla at Khanna and the Dehr at Saroch. The riverbed of the Baein expands to over a mile wide in certain sections, predominantly comprising deep sand. During colder seasons, only a shallow narrow stream of water flows through it. However, owing to its rapid slope, the Baein is prone to sudden and violent floods during the rainy season, resulting in frequent loss of life.

2. Basantar Nallah:

Adjacent to Deg Nallah on the left, Basantar Nallah is another significant tributary of the River Ravi. Its catchment area shares proximity with Deg Nallah. The mainstream of Basantar Nallah possesses a steeper slope and eventually joins the River Ravi approximately seven kilometers south of Narowal City, about 95 kilometers upstream from the outfall of Deg Nallah into the River Ravi. The contribution of Basantar Nallah adds to the volume and flow of the River Ravi.

3. Ujh River:

The Ujh River holds tremendous importance as the second most significant river in the Kathua district. It originates from the Domal Structure of Seojdar in the middle Himalayan ranges. Stretching 65 kilometers within the district, with an average width of about 1.2 kilometers, the Ujh River serves as a lifeline for the region. The main tributaries of the Ujh River are the Naaz and Bhinni Nullahs of Billawar. To harness its water resources, the Ujh Barrage has been constructed at Village Jasrota. The Ujh River caters to various needs, including drinking water supply. It also feeds several small canals and Khuls, enabling irrigation of agricultural lands in the district. Moreover, the river facilitates the transportation of timber from the hills to the plains in large quantities. Additionally, it provides essential construction materials such as sand and stones. Originating from the Ramkot Fort side of Jammu, the Ujh River flows through Kathua before entering Pakistan.

4. Deg Nallah:

Originating in Jammu and Kashmir, Deg Nallah comprises two branches known as the Devak River and the Basantar River. These branches merge to form Deg Nallah near the Lehri check post, approximately 14 kilometers northeast of Zafarwal town. From there, it follows a southwesterly course, crossing significant landmarks such as Zafarwal-Chawinda Road, Pasrur-Narowal Road, and the railway line near Qila Soba Singh. It further crosses the Marala-Ravi (M.R.) link canal, the Bambanwala-Ravi-Bedian-Dialpur (BRBD) Canal, and the Muridke Distributary. As it progresses downstream, it crosses the Pakistan Railways Lahore-Peshawar main line, the G.T. Road, the Motorway M-2, the Lahore-Faisalabad section of Pakistan Railways, and the Lahore-Sheikhupura road. Deg Nallah terminates at the Deg Diversion channel, where it joins the River Ravi, 18 kilometers downstream from Shahdara town. Notably, Deg Nullah holds prominence among the tributaries due to its remarkable length of 256 kilometers and a catchment area encompassing 730 square kilometers.

5. Hudiara Drain:

The Hudiara Drain stretches over a length of 98.6 kilometers, with 44.2 kilometers located in India and 54.4 kilometers in Pakistani territory. Although technically referred to as a drain, it plays a significant role as a tributary of the River Ravi, contributing to its overall flow and water resources.

The tributaries of the River Ravi collectively enhance the river's vitality and have shaped the region's landscape throughout history.

Monday 26 February 2018

REMNANTS OF ARCH BRIDGE of MUGHAL ERA on CHHOTI DEGH & ITS STORY of DEMISE

February 26, 2018

by Ali Usman Baig

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit a remarkable bridge that dated back 400 years to the Mughal Era. This architectural marvel was situated on Degh Nala and captured my interest after reading an extensive article about it by Sir Salman Rasheed. Intriguingly, Sir Salman Rasheed's article also mentioned another Mughal-era bridge located on a branch of the Degh known as the Chhoti or Lesser Degh, not far to the west.

For a considerable period, I struggled to pinpoint the exact location of this place. However, after much effort, I finally succeeded and visited the site last Sunday. As I arrived, I noticed the remnants of the collapsed bridge scattered across the stream, a stark reminder of its former grandeur.

The length of the bridge was measured to be 30 meters, identical to the Mughal Era Bridge situated on the main Degh River. It was an arch bridge, featuring four arches with a center-to-center distance of 7.5 meters. Construction of the bridge is believed to have taken place in the later decades of the sixteenth century.

An analysis of the chemical and mineral composition of the Mughal mortar renders, and plaster from the seventeenth century revealed the presence of coarse materials such as bricks, kankar pieces, and slag, along with fine aggregates like river sand. These materials were typically combined with a calcite lime binder. The specific ratio of binder to aggregate varied depending on the functional requirements of each masonry unit. The chemical composition, both major and trace elements, indicated the use of locally available raw materials in the construction of these historical monuments. In the current bridge, the construction comprised Nanak Shahi bricks internally reinforced and filled with calcite lime mortar.

Arch bridges, which have been utilized for over 3000 years, remain one of the most popular bridge designs. During the Roman Empire, stone and wood arch bridges gained significant popularity, with architects successfully constructing over 1000 stone arch bridges across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Remarkably, many of these bridges have endured to this day. Contrary to the belief that the 1976 flood led to the collapse of the bridge I visited, it appeared that the disintegration of the arch members originated from the top crown. Arch bridges primarily rely on compression to bear loads. The failure I observed seemed to result from overloaded vehicles frequently crossing the bridge, ironically serving as a common route for heavily loaded tractor trolleys for decades. Evidently, the Mughal architects did not anticipate such substantial wheel loads when designing the bridge.

The remnants of the bridge include the remains of 2-foot-high, 40-meter-long roadside wing walls that run on both ends of the bridge along the road. These walls are accompanied by columns at the beginning of each wing wall, making the bridge visible from a distance. It is worth noting that the length of the bridge is nearly double the current width of the Nala, indicating that the Nala has significantly narrowed over time due to reduced water flow in the River Ravi. Presently, a new bridge has been constructed over the debris of the collapsed one.

In the past, this bridge served as a crucial crossing point for the military troops of the Mughal and Sikh armies. It witnessed the passage of numerous centuries. Sadly, no relevant authority has ever taken the initiative to restore or protect this historical gem, instead attributing its destruction to floods.

It is disheartening to witness the fading away of such a significant piece of history, lost forever to the sands of time.