Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal
| Bambanwala–Ravi–Bedian Canal | |
|---|---|
 BRB Canal near Lahore | |
 Interactive map of Bambanwala–Ravi–Bedian Canal | |
| Location | Punjab |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 31°32′46″N 74°43′30″E / 31.54611°N 74.72500°E |
| Specifications | |
| Status | Operational |
Navigation authority | Punjab Irrigation Department |
| History | |
| Former names | Ichogil Canal |
| Construction began | 1948 |
| Geography | |
| Start point | Upper Chenab Canal near Bambanwala west of Daska |
| End point | Sutlej River near Kanganpur |
Bambanwala-Ravi-Bedian Canal (BRB Canal), also called Ichogil Canal (by Indian authors),[1] is a manmade waterway in Pakistan that takes off from the Upper Chenab Canal near the Bambanwala village (to the west of Daska), runs southeast until reaching close to the India-Pakistan border and then runs south parallel to the border. It ends at the Sutlej near Kanganpur 100 km south of Lahore. It is the source of the Lahore Canal which runs westwards to the city of Lahore.
History
[edit]The canal was built by the citizens of Lahore in 1948 in response to an appeal by the Chief Minister of Punjab Iftikhar Hussein to safeguard the city from a possible Indian invasion in the future. As a result, common Pakistani nationals dug the whole 8 km canal free of cost in a few days.[2][unreliable source?]
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
[edit]
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the canal played a crucial role in defence of Lahore. The canal, due to its around 45 metre width and 5 metre depth, acted as the main defence line to major Pakistani cities. The western side of the canal, was lined with a network of fortified pillboxes, deep infantry bunkers and artillery positions. Moreover, it had a higher elevation than the eastern side, giving a clear view of enemy movements.[3]
A single Indian battalion had been able to cross the canal on the very first day of the war, 6 September, but then retreated.[4] Pakistani army was successful in delaying the Indian advance at Barki and Dograi, and blew up all except eight bridges crossing the canal in an effort to hold back the invading Indian forces until the ceasefire was announced.[5] The Indian army failed in its objective to build a pass over the canal, however, it was able to capture the eastern Bund(embankment) of the canal, as well as towns east of the canal, Barki and Dograi, at Lahore sector. Hence, the canal never fell and acted as a successful defence line.[6][7][8][9]
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]- BRB canal marked on OpenStreetMap, retrieved 23 January 2021.
References
[edit]- ↑ Khan, Muhammad Saad; Javeed, Fatima; Anbrine, Dr. Shama (2015). "The Impact of Urbanisation on Avian Communities of Lahore" (PDF). Department of Architecture, UET, Lahore. Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning. 18 (First Issue): 1.
- ↑ Zain, Ali (6 September 2015). "What is actual meaning of BRB Canal and its role in Pak-India 65 war?". Daily Pakistan.
- ↑ Singh, Lt Gen Harbakhsh (1991). War Despatches: Indo–Pak Conflict 1965. Lancer Publishers LLC. ISBN 978-1-935501-59-6.
- ↑ "Operational Art in the Indian Context: An Open Sources Analysis". ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "The Indo-Pakistani Conflict by Russell Brines" (PDF).
- ↑ Ramachandran, D.P. (2008). Empire's First Soldiers. Amber Books Limited. p. 197. ISBN 9780979617478.
- ↑ "What is actual meaning of BRB Canal and its role in Pak-India 65 war?". 6 September 2015.
- ↑ Singh, Gp. Capt. Ranbir (2005). Major Defence Operations Since 1947. Ocean Books. ISBN 9788188322671.
- ↑ "1965: A war". NEWSLAB. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
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