Purana pul, Stone road bridge in Hyderabad, India
Purana Pul is a stone arch bridge in Hyderabad that crosses the Musi River with multiple stone arches supporting its structure. It connects the historic old city neighborhoods to newer districts and provides passage near major landmarks like Charminar and Laad Bazaar.
The bridge was built in 1578 under Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah and stands as the first bridge constructed in Hyderabad. It was designed to link Golconda Fort with trade routes, playing a key role in establishing the city's early infrastructure.
The name means "old bridge" in local languages and reflects how residents think of this as a gateway where the historical city connects to modern areas. People still cross it daily, making it part of the everyday rhythm of Hyderabad.
The bridge is easily accessible on foot and serves as a natural entry point to the old market and trading district of the city. It works best as a starting point for exploring the surrounding neighborhoods and visiting nearby monuments and bazaars.
The structure has survived over 4 centuries with minimal alterations, which is unusual for a bridge of this age and scale. Despite a severe flood in 1908, it required only minor repairs, revealing the durability of the original craftsmanship.
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