MELVISHARAM- A TOWN OF GARDENS
Gardens of Melvisharam – A Glimpse into the Green Past
Gardens are places of refreshment
and recreation, and they play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.
Melvisharam was once known as a town of gardens. The settlement was established
during the 17th century (1600–1700). The town was previously known as
Uppupettai (Melvisharam), an area comprising Dargah Street, Big Mosque Street,
and Big Street. It is said that salt used for tanning was stocked and sold
here, and it was this population that constructed the Big Mosque.
The natives of Uppupettai were primarily agriculturalists. They cultivated paddy, groundnut, betel leaves, indigo, greens, vegetables, and fruits. Parallel to Melvisharam, there was a large garden named Naulakh Bagh, established by Nawab Sadathullah Khan in 1703 CE. For detailed information on The Naulakh Bagh read my article
https://localhistorymelvisharam.blogspot.com/2025/11/naulakh-bagh.html
Apart from this vast garden, the town had several other gardens owned by
Muslim families.
Historical records indicate that
during the early 19th century, Uppupettai had four prominent gardens. Next to
the Melvisharam Big Mosque, there was a garden named “Gulistan,” where people
spent time for recreation. In the north-western part of the town, there was
“Mana Muna Bagh,” which belonged to the Mana Muna family. Elders of the family
recall the days when they used to spend time there with their families.
There was also T.M. Bagh belonging to the T.M. family. Alanji Mohammed Usman Sahib, a philanthropist and landlord, owned a garden named Alanji Bagh. Similarly, C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib established 'Hakeem Gardens'. The 'Gardens of Jameelabad', belonging to S. M. Abdul Jameel Sahib, surrounded his bungalow. Other notable green spaces included 'Appapillai Bagh' of the Appapillai family, 'Mara Bagh' of the Mara family, and 'Manga Thoppu' (Mango Garden) of Pakthini Hadi Batcha Sahib. 'Dilshad Bagh' of Vaverthar Abdul Wahab Sahib and 'Jhula Bagh' of Puttu Mohammed Batcha Sahib 'Aayilam Bagh' of Aayilam Abdullah Basha Sahib, 'Kafiyar Thoppu' of Kafiyar Khursheedullah Sahib and 'Thattan Thoppu' were also famous landscapes filled with greenery, providing shelter to various species of birds and space of refreshment for public.
Similarly, there were many unnamed gardens owned by the people of Visharam, some of which were located in nearby villages (Ayilam, Kathiawadi, Nandiyalam etc.,) and outside Melvisharam. Along with these gardens, large tracts of fertile agricultural fields existed adjacent to the River Palar until the 1980s. These lands, owned by numerous families of Visharam, yielded abundant produce which was used for self consumption and charity.
Fruits such as guava, lemon, pomegranate, custard apple, wood apple, ice apple, berries, citron (narthangai-naringee), naval fruit, jackfruit and sapota were commonly grown. In addition, several varieties of mango and coconut were also cultivated in abundance.
Most of these green spaces were supported by large water wells that served as sources of irrigation.
Over time, as the population
increased, these green landscapes were gradually converted into residential
settlements. Today, people interested in greenery grow plants and trees within
their homes. Educational institutions also maintain gardens. From the C. Abdul
Hakeem College campus in the east of Visharam to the Melvisharam Eidgah and KH Boys' Matriculation School in the
west, several campuses still preserve green spaces. Among these, the garden
inside the KH Apollo Hospital campus is particularly well maintained.
Though much of the past greenery has disappeared, the memory of Melvisharam as a town of gardens continues to inspire efforts to preserve and restore green spaces for future generations.
Even today, some affluent families maintain their gardens which also acts as a source for cattle breeding and poultry farming. The Karpu Nelli coconut garden is one of the oldest and existing green space in present day Melvisharam.
Likewise, Janab A Nizam Sahib former teacher of our school and Janab K. Abdul Hameed Sahib, Co-ordinator of the Eco Club at Islamiah Boys Higher Secondary School, has been actively working for a greener Visharam by conducting awareness programmes and organizing plantation drives within and outside the school campus. The school management has been regularly funding these initiatives which has brought laurels from the public and department. As a mark of recognition and appreciation to the school during 2025–26, the Forest Department donated 225 saplings, of which 125 were planted at the Melvisharam Eidgah and the remaining 100 in the school campus and nearby areas.
Similar initiatives are undertaken by other institutions as well. However, while some students plant saplings, others unknowingly damage them. There is a need for greater awareness among young minds to sustain plantation efforts. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person, or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charity (Sadaqah) for him.” (Bukhari and Muslim )
The Hadith clearly emphasizes that planting and protecting trees is not only an environmental duty but also a continuous charity (Sadaqah Jariyah)
S. MOHAMMED SADATHULLAH. MELVISHARAM
5th April, 2026
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