Melon cultivation on the banks of the Yamuna in the 19th century

 

When I wrote about the ‘perils’ of the Yamuna, I intended to follow it up with a post on the cultivation practices along the river's banks. While the picture above may not directly depict cultivation, it offers a glimpse into the vast expanse of the Yamuna and its surrounding riverine land in Delhi. Some of this land was also historically used for growing crops.

Melons, in particular, were cultivated along the banks of the Yamuna and required the application of manure. This practice was part of a local tradition aimed at enhancing the fertility of the alluvial soil in the region. The Mughals actively promoted melon cultivation, so much so that when the East India Company sought to remove ‘unsanitary’ trades from the city's vicinity in 1850, Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, even petitioned on behalf of the melon farmers. However, after the Rebellion of 1857, melon cultivation was significantly reduced due to concerns about sanitation. It was argued that the manure used in melon farming could contribute to the spread of disease, especially among soldiers stationed in the Red Fort.

Despite this, the reduction in melon farming did not lead to its complete elimination, as there were still voices within the British establishment advocating for the importance of maintaining soil fertility.

Today, melon cultivation continues along the Yamuna’s banks, but environmental degradation has taken its toll. The dumping of chemical waste into the river has led to the early death of melon crops, often just after they sprout. This not only threatens food security but also undermines the livelihoods of farmers dependent on melon cultivation.