A HISTORIC JOURNEY

The Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium (LB Stadium) in Hyderabad has been witness to many a historic event. The imposing cricket stadium was built in 1970 on an open maidan where the army camped and cricket was played. Originally it began as the Bagh-e-Dilkusha, a beautiful garden sanctioned by the founder of Hyderabad, Quli Qutub Shah. It was flattened into a camping ground by the Mughal army during their Golconda campaign led by Emperor Aurangzeb. After the Mughals captured the Golconda Fort in 1687, this site was renamed Fateh Maidan-victory ground.

Much water has flowed under the Purana Pul in the Old City since then. The Bagh remained a green and beautiful landmark for Hyderabad, its people and its history. After the police action in September 1948 to annex Hyderabad State, General J.N. Chowdhury, head of the military government, addressed his first public meeting here. The only time test matches were played at this ground was in 1955-56.

During the India-Pakistan war of 1965, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri visited Hyderabad during his India tour to mobilize public opinion and funds for the National Defence Fund. At the same meeting, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) donated 1.25 lakh grams (125 kg) of gold.....................