Khuni Bhandara: The underground water harvesting system in Burhanpur

Khuni Bhandara, also known as Kundi Bhandara, is a unique underground water supply system in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. Khuni Bhandara was designed by Abdul Rahim Khankhana, the Subedar of Burhanpur during the reign of Mughal emperors Akbar and Jahangir.

It was developed in 1615 to provide drinking water for Mughal soldiers and the local population in Burhanpur. Interestingly, a part of this 410-year-old system provides water to some areas of the city even today. 

Due to its remarkable engineering and historical significance, Khuni Bhandara is now on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It is also a popular tourist attraction, showcasing a unique piece of Mughal-era engineering. Visitors can even explore sections of the underground canal via a lift-accessible entry point. 

The project was executed with the expertise of Persian geologist Arkbul Arzin and is now a state-protected structure.

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Ingenious underground water management

Spanning 0.340 hectares, this underground water harvesting system is a testament to historical engineering, showcasing meticulous design and precision.

What makes the Khuni Bhandara extraordinary is its complete reliance on gravity-based water transport. 

Without the use of pumps or mechanical devices, the system captures groundwater from the Satpura Hills, directing it through a network of underground conduits to Jail Karanj, the central storage chamber.

The Burhanpur water system primarily consists of bhandaras (storage tanks) and kundis (vertical, well-like structures). Bhandaras collect groundwater from underground springs originating from the Satpuras and flowing towards the Tapti River, relying solely on the law of gravity to transport water. Bhandaras are about 80 cm wide and 200 m long.

A Kundi is a vent made on the top of bhandara to let air inside. Built on the principles of the Persian Qanat system, the structure originally had 103 kundis arranged in a row, with depths ranging from 10 m to 30 m. 

The kundis were interconnected by a 3.9 km-long, gently sloping underground marble tunnel to facilitate natural, gravity-driven water flow to the storage tanks. Today, many of these kundis are also used as wells.

The first well was dug to 80 m to tap into an underground water source. A second well, located approximately 100 m downhill, was then excavated. 

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Once these primary wells were established, a connecting tunnel was carved between them, allowing continuous water flow. The vertical shafts provided essential ventilation and maintenance access for the system.

Today, only 32 of the original 103 kundis or wells remain intact. Several small ponds were constructed across different areas to  facilitate water collection and save water. It was then transported to the Shaniwara Dwar pond in Burhanpur city via an underground canal, built with limestone and 80 to 100 feet below ground level. 

From this reservoir, the water was further distributed to palaces, mosques, and common households through an intricate underground piping network. 

The mineral-rich water acquired a reddish hue while flowing through these canals, giving rise to the name Khuni Bhandara (bloody reservoir).

Despite its partial collapse, remnants of this historic water system still dot the city and provide for a significant portion of Burhanpur’s water needs, underlining the importance of water conservation.

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Historical significance of Khuni Bhandara

During the Mughal era, Burhanpur served not only as a provincial headquarters but also as a strategic military and trade centre. The city was a crucial base for the Mughal expansion into South India, accommodating large military encampments and facilitating trade caravans. 

Despite its location on the banks of the Tapti and Utavali Rivers, the city struggled with water scarcity due to the elevated riverbanks, which made water distribution challenging and costly. 

As the crisis worsened, the need for an advanced water supply system became evident, prompting the construction of Khuni Bhandara. 

The design of Khuni Bhandara was inspired by the Persian Qanat system, widely used in Iran and Iraq for centuries. 

The Mughals, known for importing advanced Persian technologies, incorporated these principles into Burhanpur’s water infrastructure.

Khuni Bhandara remained the city’s primary water source for over 300 years before a major collapse in 1977. This intricate underground water system was designed to sustain a population of 200,000 Mughal soldiers and 35,000 civilians. 

While Burhanpur received a fair amount of seasonal rainfall, the challenge lay in efficiently capturing and distributing water. The construction of Khooni Bhandara addressed this issue. It remains a striking example of medieval hydraulic engineering. 

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