The old ponds of
Ambala City have a history intrinsically linked with the growth of the town. The ponds, which are better known as 'Talab', are gradually losing out to population pressure. These ponds used to meet the water requirement of Ambala City in the olden days and it also ensured that there was no water-logging during rainfall. They have gained religious importance over the years.
The five major ponds which were there in the pre-partition days include Labbu Wala Talab, Ram Talai Talab, Kajiyon Ka Talab, Navrang Rai Talab and Kalalon Ka Talab. Out of these, Kajiyon Ka Talab and Kalalon Ka Talab are no longer present.
A local resident said that Labbu Wala Talab is said to have been made by a person called Labbu. He said that a confidante of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Dewan Krishan Chand, had carried out construction work to make permanent structures along the pond. It is apparent from the use of bricks that the construction perhaps belongs to the period of Rani Daya Kaur. Incidentally, the masonry and the use of bricks is similar to the construction work at Zulamgarh, which was the abode of Rani Daya Kaur.
Kajiyon Ka Talan probably derives its name from a Muslim Qazi. During the British period, a number of Muslim families used to live in that area. The pond has been covered up. Ram Talai Talab near Manji Sahib Gurudwara has for ghats. Navrang Rai Sarover is one of the most important ponds of Ambala City. It has religious significance since Bavan Dwadashi Mela is held on its banks. "The Sarover is in a sorry state. Although a few years back, an effort was initiated to clean up the Sarover, it was left in between. There is definitely a need to bring Navrang Rai Sarover to its earlier glory," he said.
Kalalon Ka Talab is part of history now. The pond has been covered up and a bustling market is functional there. It is said that the old Sher Shah Suri marg used to pass close to the pond. An old pillar is an indicator of the old GT road. People using the old GT road probably used to rest on the banks of the Kalalon Ka Talab.
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