The story of Chandola Lake: Mughal Origin to Modern Challenges

Introduction

Chandola Lake, the largest water body of Ahmedabad, is more than just a beautiful place – it is a historical treasure with tracking back to the Mughal era. The history of Chandola Lake reveals a journey from an important irrigation reservoir to a place of cultural significance, especially during the 1930 Salt March that Mahatma Gandhi visits.

Once a lifeline, Lake has encountered intervention, pollution, and neglect for local communities, but the recent revival effort from Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will restore its honor. Dani spread from 1200 hectares near Limda Road; this artificial lake continues to fascinate historians, environmentalists, and tourists.

This blog post highlights the rich story of Chandola Lake, its ecological and cultural roles, and its challenges today to May 2025. Join us to find out about this attractive story.

The origin of Chandola Lake: Mughal starts

The story of Chandola Lake begins in the Mughal period, as it was built as a water reservoir to meet the growing needs of Ahmedabad. The sources credit Tajan Khan, the wife of a Mughal sultan from Ahmedabad, to Nari Ali, highlighting his historical significance.

• Main Details:

• Construction: Made as a neutral, circular reservoir for watering and industrial use.

• Historical reference: Asha Bhil established the precursor to Ashwal, Ahmedabad, according to Wikipedia.

• Adjacent landmark: Shah Alams Grav, adorned with gold and gems of Asaf Khan, brother of Queen Noor Jahn, adds cultural values.

• Kharikut Canal Scheme: One of the oldest irrigation projects in Gujarat, it supplied water to 1200 acres of rice land near the lake, which outlines the agricultural meaning.

The reservoir in this Mughal program laid the foundation for Chandola’s role as an important resource.

Chandola Lake in the 1900s: Gandhi’s Salt March

An important moment in the history of Chandola Lake took place during the Salt March in 1930, when Mahatma Gandhi marked her place in India’s freedom movement.

• Gandhi’s visit:

• On March 12, 1930, Gandhi lived under a pipe in Chandola Lake, then a small pond between the mud after mud at a distance of 7 miles from Sabarmati Ashram.

• The incident attracted journalists and supporters to strengthen the historical significance of the lake.

• Organic role: Lake supported watering and industrial needs and hosted fish with clear water, recalled by local businessman Shailesh Shah.

• Chandola Lake in 1930 – The story of Chandola Lake: Mughal Origin to Modern Challenges

Aspect	Details
Size	Small pond in a vast mud expanse
Use	Irrigation, industrial purposes
Notable Event	Gandhi’s Salt March stop
Ecological Status	Clear waters, visible fish

This period illuminates the double role of Chandola culture and Chandola.

The table of Chandola Lake took a rocky path due to urbanization and a lack of proper care throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, leading to its decline. Once sprawling over 1200 hectares, the lake has suffered greatly from pollution and significant intervention.

Fall and intervention: Challenges over time

The story of Chandola Lake took a disturbed turn due to urbanization and neglect in the 20th and 21st centuries, which led to its decline. When spread up to 1200 hectares, the lake met serious intervention and pollution.

• Intervention problems:

• Chhota and Bada Chandola: Chhota Chandola was fully signed, while Bada Chandola shrunk up to 15% of capacity due to illegal sludge and splashes.

• Statistics: In 1960, 204 lakes of Ahmedabad remained until only 137 in 2000, the most hit with Chandola.

• Kharikut Canal: The lake feeding channel was suffocated with garbage, which reduced the flow of water.

• Case Study: Shailesh Shah’s petition

• In 2000, Shah entered into a trial for public interest and banned new constructions within 500-1000 meters from 137 lakes for a Gujarat High Court order in 2001.

• Back in 2003, the court took steps to protect the lake, but the enforcement was pretty weak, which opened the door for more issues.

• Fast forward to 2025, and a study published in the Oriental Journal of Chemistry highlighted how industrial waste and drainage are causing fluctuations in water quality, putting the lake’s ecosystem at risk.

These problems really show the strain from haphazard urban development around Chandola Lake.

Newer Development: Review effort

The history of Chandola Lake has seen renewed hope in recent years; AMC has introduced ambitious rebuilding plans to restore its ecological and cultural significance.

• AMC initiative:

• COUNTRY: In 2023, AMC bought 1.096 lakh square meters around Chandola after a delay of 23 years, which enabled rebuilding.

• Two-Phase Plan: Launched in 2024, phase one focuses on beautification, while phase two is aimed at transferring the slum residents and constructing skyscrapers, which are modeled on the Kanaria lakefront.

• Tender details: To conclude, in October 2025, 524.51 million tenders were moved in 2023 for rebuilding.

• Destruction Drive:

• In April 2025, the AMC rejected 2000 illegal structures around Chandola, releasing 1.5 million square meters and targeting unauthorized settlement.

• The Gujarat Supreme Court approved these demolitions, with reference to concern for national security, and rejected the appeal from the affected parties.

• Waterlogging problems: In 2024, despite the heavy monsoon, the lake was only 1.7% full, with 10 waterlogged stains nearby due to canal water channeling.

The purpose of this effort is to revive Chandola’s historical and organic heritage.

Cultural and ecological significance today

Today, the story of Chandola Lake continues to shape her identity as a tourist attraction and ecological center, despite the ongoing challenges.

• Tourism and wildlife:

• The lake attracts visitors for a quiet trip and hosts the cormorants, painted storks, and fates.

• Shah Alam, adorned with its beautiful domes, adds to its cultural allure.

• Community effort:

• Starting in 2020, a project by CEPT University has been working to revitalize Chandola, fostering a sense of ownership among local residents.

• Community figures like Shahzad Khan Pathan and AMC opposition leaders are championing continuous growth.

• Environmental issues: The lake’s water quality is at risk from industrial waste and blocked channels, necessitating ongoing oversight.

Chandola’s history, culture, and ecology make it a vital hub for Ahmedabad’s heritage.

Conclusion

The story of the Chandola Lake is the saga of its Mughal origin as an important reservoir, its role in Gandhi’s Salt March, and its role in its modern revival effort. Despite the challenges such as intervention, pollution, and waterfalls, 2024-2025 has been rebuilt to AMC, expected to restore the credit for this 1200 hectares of the lake.

As the largest water body of Ahmedabad, Chandola is still a cultural and organic gem, which is equally made for tourists and historians. What do you think of preserving historical lakes like Chandola? Share in the comments, spread this story, or find out our posts in historical places in Ahmedabad for more insight.

FAQs

1. What is the story of Chandola Lake?

Chandola Lake, built by the wife of a Mughal sultan in Ahmedabad, served as a reservoir for watering and was visited by Gandhi during the Salt March in 1930.

2. Who built Chandola Lake?

Tajan Khan Nari Ali, wife of a Mughal sultan from Ahmedabad, built the Chandola Lake as a water reservoir, according to the historic post.

3. What challenges has Chandola Lake met?

Interventions, pollution, and a dense Kharikut channel have reduced the capacity of Chandola, where the substandard Chandola is completely entered into and large Chandola is 15%.

4. What are the current plans for Chandola Lake?

In 2025, AMC Chandola remains in two phases: beautification and slum transfer, to restore its honor with a tender of $24.51 million.

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