Bridge

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31 May 2022

You'll fall in love with these bridges which have stood the test of time
Simrran Gill 13 Min Read
The history of India can be traced through various monuments, artefacts and books. However, its architectural legacy can also be traced back to the bridges that were built to facilitate movement of goods and people across cities and, more often than not, borders. Standing the test of time, weather and natural calamities, some of them withered, while others are as sturdy as ever. How many of these 10 historical bridges have you mapped yet?

Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge, Meghalaya

The double-decker route bridge
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The strength of bridges is often determined by the engineering behind them, but in Meghalaya, it’s about how strong the roots of the trees are. As opposed to the conventional norm, bridges here are grown and not built. Overcast skies and constant downpour are not an uncommon site in Meghalaya. And neither are root bridges in Cherrapunji—one of the wettest places on Earth. On the hill slopes of the southern Khasi and Jaintia districts, there is a species of Indian rubber tree with a strengthened and durable root system. These roots are intertwined by the tribal community in the forests to create bridges to cross rivers. Such bridges can be found throughout many forests in the area, each varying in strength. One of the oldest ones is the Umshiang double-decker root bridge, built over the Umshiang River, and can be accessed after a difficult trek.

Bukka’s Aqueduct, Karnataka

The Bukka's Aqueduct