The State Wakf Tribunal order to the Department of Archaeology and Museums on October 29 to start the repair and conservation works at the Qutb Shahi Tomb Complex is a welcome move as it would help in saving a part of our heritage that needs to be preserved for posterity.
What makes Hyderabad different from other cities in India is its history, culture and architecture, a melting pot of various architectural styles, as it were.
We find native Indian style reflected in temples and matts here besides the Moghal style of architecture which has also been expressed in its various glorious forms. When the Qutb Shahs took over the reins of the city, they built beautiful structures and monuments. They focused on reconstructing, renovating and expanding the Golconda Fort to suit the changing needs of the royal occupants.
The Asaf Jahi period that followed was marked with two different styles. During early period of this era, there was growth of European style which is evident in monuments such as Residency (Koti), Falaknuma Palace and the relics of the Devdhis of Paigah nobles in Shah Gunj near Charminar.
The last phase of the Asaf Jahi rule witnessed the emergence of a new approach that is evident in the Arts College building that showcases how Indo-Saracen styles evolved into a differently beautiful form. However, this period is more popular for the Osmanian style of architecture. The buildings constructed in this style, include the Adalat-e-Aaliya or the high court, Osmania General Hospital and the Town Hall or the Legislative Building.
Although we have so many magnificent buildings and precincts, Charminar, Golconda Fort and Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex stand out. The necropolis created by the Qutb Shahs is different in many ways from the other royal cemeteries in South Asia. For instance, all but the last Sultan of the dynasty are buried in the same complex with each one of them having a tomb devoted to his grave. The tomb complex comprising about 70 structures represent a splendid phase in the evolution of Indo-Persian-Deccani architecture.
Elaborating on the tomb complex in his book, ‘Farkhunda Buniyad Hyderabad’, Satguru Pershad recalls how the necropolis was treated during the era of Qutb Shahs. “Two furlong from the Banjari Gate (of Golconda Fort) Bagh-e-Safa or Langar Faiz-e-Asar is located. This beautiful garden is fenced with a wall. Only the tomb of Abdullah Qutb Shah, an incomplete tomb and the tomb of Fatima Khanam are located outside the compound wall. During the times of Qutb Shahs, these tombs were covered with silk sheets and offering of flowers was made daily.
There used to be shamiana (tents) of golden poles. The graves were lit with lamps round the clock. The books of the sultans and the Quran copies were kept near the graves. The floor of the tombs was covered with expensive carpets. The royal graves had a golden crescent hanging over them. Every day at around 4 pm, the poor and the mendicants were given food in the complex. Not everybody was allowed to enter the complex. The complex was considered sacred.”
Moghal emperor during the siege of Golconda in 1687 CE used the complex garden for mounting a cannon attack on the fort which went unanswered because the sultan did not want to damage the sacred necropolis. The fourth Nizam Nasirud Daulah ordered restoration of the complex that had fallen on bad times. The necropolis later became part of Sarf-e-Khaas or the private estate of the Nizam. Salar Jung, the first, ordered the construction of the wall around the complex and repair of the tombs. The Department of Archeaology and Museums was entrusted with the upkeep of the palace in 1914.
With the Wakf Tribunal order in hand, the DAM and Aga Khan Trust for Culture who have entered into an MoU a few months ago have started the ground work at the complex.
Ratesh Nanda of the AKTC told INN Live that the trust is not keen on any income from the Qutb Shahi Tombs complex after the restoration works are completed. “We are not asking the department to transfer any land in the name of the trust. We have a record of restoring such places at other places. We want the Qutb Shahi tombs to become a world-class heritage precinct,” he said.
In view of the previous attempts to derail the works, it is the responsibility of the government and the civil society to ensure that there are no more hurdles vis-a-vis the conservation works of the tombs complex.
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