Patra River

• 26 Nov 2025

Why in News? 

The Patra River, once a vital freshwater stream known for its association with Raja Bhoj, is undergoing renewed attention as authorities and environmental experts highlight its severe degradation and ongoing revival efforts in Bhopal. 

Key Points 

• About Patra River: 
  • The Patra River, also called the Patra Nala, historically flowed through old Bhopal and was known for its therapeutic qualities. It is said that Raja Bhoj was cured of a severe ailment after bathing in its waters, contributing to its cultural significance. 
  • The river originally served as a natural drainage and freshwater carrier flowing into the Upper Lake (Bada Talab). 
  • Over the decades, rapid urbanisation, encroachment, and unregulated waste discharge turned the river into a polluted drain, leading to near-total loss of its ecological character. 
• About Upper Lake: 
  • Upper Lake (Bada Talab) is one of India’s oldest man-made lakes, constructed in the 11th century by Raja Bhoj. 
  • It is part of the Bhoj Wetlands, designated as a Ramsar Site (2002) for its ecological importance. 
  • Its major inflow sources include Kolans River and seasonal rivulets including the Patra River. 
  • The lake is crucial because it provides drinking water to over 40% of Bhopal’s population and also serves as an important habitat supporting more than 200 species of birds. 

Raja Bhoj

• Raja Bhoj (c. 1010–1055 CE) was one of the most renowned rulers of the Paramara dynasty of Malwa, celebrated for his scholarship, statecraft, and public welfare works. 
• He founded the historic city of Bhojpal, which later evolved into modern Bhopal, linked to his large-scale water management initiatives. 
• He is credited with constructing the Upper Lake (Bada Talab) by building an embankment across the Kolans River, transforming the region’s hydrology. 
• Raja Bhoj authored or patronised several Sanskrit works on Ayurveda, astronomy, architecture, poetics, and grammar, such as the Samarangana Sutradhara (architecture) and Rajamartanda (astrology).