The city of Srinagar in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India, originally had seven wooden bridges across the Jhelum River. The seven bridges Amira, Habba, Fateh, Zaina, Aali, Nawa and Safa were constructed between the 15th and 18th century. This number remained unchanged for at least five centuries.[1] In the Kashmiri language, these bridges are known as kadals.[2] Localities around them have been eponymously named.[3]
The old seven bridges are of similar construction and made of Cedrus deodara. Apart from heavy rocks used to add weight to the foundation, the entire bridge was made of wood.[4] A number of passages allow for the flow of water making them considerably strong against water level and flow changes. They have been reconstructed a number of times. In 1841, bridges 3 to 7 were washed away. In 1893, bridges 2 to 7 were washed away.[5]
| scope=col | Name | scope=col | Year | scope=col | Length | scope=col | Breadth | scope=col class = unsortable | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The original seven | |||||||||
| Amira Kadal | 1773[6] | 122m (400feet) | 20feet | The first bridge;[7] [8] was renamed Pratap Kadal on reconstruction but the old name continues to be used.[9] Alternately spelt Amiri,[10] Amiran, Ameeri.[11] | |||||
| Habba Kadal | 1550 | 88m (289feet) | 24feet | The second bridge; a row of shops ran along the edges. Has also been spelt as Hubba. The New Habba Kadal bridge is a few meters off.[12] | |||||
| Fateh Kadal | 1499 | 80m (260feet) | 17feet | The third bridge; also spelt Fatteh, Fati. | |||||
| Zaina Kadal | 1426 | 87m (285feet) | 24feet | The fourth bridge;[13] | |||||
| Aali Kadal | 1417 | 74m (243feet) | 17feet | The fifth bridge; alternate date of construction 1415. Other spellings that have been used include Haili and Alli. | |||||
| Nawa Kadal | 1666 | 68m (223feet) | 18feet | The sixth bridge; rebuilt in 1953. Also spelt Naya. | |||||
| Safa Kadal | 1670 | 100m (300feet) | 19feet | The seventh bridge; alternately built in 1664.[14] Alternate spellings used Saffa, Safr, Suffa. | |||||
| Newer bridges | |||||||||
| Zero Bridge | 1950s | 160m (530feet) | 9m (30feet) | [15] [16] | |||||
| Abdullah Bridge | 1990s | 200m (700feet) | 14m (46feet) | ||||||
| Lal Mandi Footbridge | 2005[17] | 125m (410feet) | 4m (13feet) | [18] | |||||
| Budshah Bridge | 1957 | 100m (300feet) | 25m (82feet) | Also known as Alamgir bridge. | |||||
| New Habba Kadal | 2001 | 100m (300feet) | 12m (39feet) | ||||||
| New Fateh Kadal | |||||||||
| New Zaina Kadal | |||||||||
| Name of Canal / Drain | Bridges | |
|---|---|---|
| Former | ||
| Nallah Mar (Mar Canal, Mar Kol, Nahari Mar) | Rajwir/ Rajauri. Naopura, Naid, Bhuri, Sraf, Kadi, Razawar, Khwadar, Gao, Duma, Pucha. | |
| Existing | ||
| Kutte Kol (Keth Kul, Kutte Kul, Kutekul, Tsueth Kol, Katha Kul) | Tankipora, Kanni, Zaladager, Nawa Bazar, Shah/ Watal.[19] Tainki, Darash, Chutsa, Kanhayya, Bozagar, Watal. | |
| Tsoont Kol (Chonth Kul, Tsoont Kol) | Sonawar/ Aziz, MA, Fakhr-e-Kashmir/ Mirza Afzal Beigh, Barbar Shah, Gaw. Gao, Rainawari, Naidyar. Githa | |
| Sunnar Kul (Soner Kol) | Shah Mohalla Footbridge, Darish, Chatta Bal, Syed Mansoor. | |
Oont Kadal (camel bridge) is a 17th century structure located on the Dal Lake. It was restored with Germany's assistance in 2018-2021.[20] [21]