The Times of India
HYDERABAD: Finally, there seems to be a glint of silver lining for the city’s heritage. Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday announced that the Centre would extend financial assistance to the historic Quli Qutub Shahi Tombs complex for conservation. The complex along with Charminar and Golconda Fort are vying for the coveted Unesco World Heritage Site tag this year.
Presently, conservation work is underway with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) at the helm of affairs. According to Ratish Nanda, project director, AKTC, the trust had petitioned the Centre for its inclusion on the list. The aim was to make a strong case for the Quli Qutub Shahi Tombs (QST) complex to serve as a gateway to other monuments in the Deccan that include not only the city’s own Golconda Fort but also others in Bijapur and Bidar. “Inclusion of the QST in the finance minister’s speech indicates the government’s commitment. Essentially, the plan is to develop visitor facilities and setting up a museum, among other important things,” Nanda said.
The New Indian Express
HYDERABAD: In what could be music to the ears of heritage lovers, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday proposed to provide resources for the restoration of the Qutb Shahi tombs in Hyderabad. The over 400-year-old tombs are among 25 cultural world heritage sites singled out by Jaitley in his budget.
Happy with the Centre’s decision, the Department of Archaeology said a detailed action plan would be drafted for the conservation of the tombs. The entire Qutb Shahi dynasty, except the last ruler, were buried in the tombs located near the Golconda Fort. It is currently being looked after by the State Department of Archaeology and Museums. An MoU was recently inked between the department and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) for preservation of the tombs.
“AKTC has been working for a few months on the main tomb. It is a long process and we are yet to get some more land cleared for the tomb site,” Vijayakumar, Deputy Director, archaeology department, said. The tombs were put on the tentative list of Unesco sites for world cultural heritage earlier in 2012. “AKTC has brought technical expertise and Rs 100 cr.
The Hindu
HYDERABAD: Qutb Shahi tombs, the final abode of the Qutb Shahi rulers at Golconda, figures in the list of eight heritage sites which the Government of India plans to restore.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has already taken up conservation and landscape restoration of the Qutb Shahi tombs complex after successful restoration of the Humayun’s tomb in Delhi.
It has signed a formal MoU with the State Department of Archaeology. Not just the cluster of seven tombs but all the 150 graceful structures in the 130 acre royal necropolis are planned to be restored in a way that can spur social, economic and cultural development.
Anuradha Reddy, convenor, INTACH, Hyderabad, expressed happiness at the identification of the largest necropolis in the world for restoration. Though AKTC is doing the job, the complex requires more money”, she said.
Deccan Chronicle
HYDERABAD The Qutb Shahi tombs in the city, which finds place in the Union Budget list of nine heritage sites for special trust, can now hope to get the elusive world heritage tag. Spread over 80 acre, the Quli Qutb Shah Archaeological Park is one of the most significant medieval necropolises in India.
Director of Archaeology, Ms Sunita M. Bhagwat, welcomed the Centre’s decision. “We have a tie-up with the Aga Khan Foundation and the Centre’s support will improve the great heritage site,” she said.
The Aga Khan Trust had signed an MoU with the TS government for Rs 90 crore aid for restoring the tombs.
Via:
- The Times of India | Budget boost for Qutub Shahi Tombs – Published March 1, 2015 06:02 IST
- The Hindu | Centre identifies Qutb Shahi tombs for restoration – Published March 1, 2015 05:42 IST
- Deccan Chronicle | Qutb Shahi tombs get revamp funds – Published March 1, 2015, 08.03 am IST
- The New Indian Express | Archaeology Dept Tunes into FM, to Draft Plan for Qutb Shahi Tombs – Published March 1, 2015 06:05 IST
About the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) & Qutub Shahi Tombs Complex Initiative
The signing of the MoU has been preceded by a year-long documentation programme, where each of the 70 structures within the tomb complex – Deccan Park area have been documented and their conservation needs established. Topographical surveys of the entire 106 acre site have also been undertaken and a landscape master plan prepared – Photo: AKTC/India
Hyderabad, 10/01/13 – A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a ten-year, integrated conservation and landscape restoration project at the Quli Qutb Shah Tomb complex in Hyderabad was signed by AKTC.
The Quli Qutb Shah Archaeological Park, which includes the Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex and Deccan Park, is one of the most significant historic medieval necropolises in India
The complex encompasses 70 structures within its complex, encompassing 40 mausoleums, 23 mosques, five step-wells/water structures, a hamam (mortuary bath), pavilions, garden structures and enclosure walls built during the reign of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty that ruled the Hyderabad region for 170 years in the 16th – 17th centuries.
The signing of the MoU has been preceded by a year-long documentation programme, where each of the 70 structures within the tomb complex – Deccan Park area have been documented and their conservation needs established. Topographical surveys of the entire 106 acre site have also been undertaken and a landscape master plan prepared
The Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex, presently nominated to the World Heritage List, is proposed to be developed as an urban Archaeological Park, to showcase and ensure long-term preservation, and to enhance understanding of the 70 monuments that stand within its boundaries.
The conservation works will be undertaken by master craftsmen using traditional tools, building techniques and traditional materials respecting the intention of the original builders. As with the ten year Delhi project which commenced in 2007, the Aga Khan Development Network agencies will be undertaking the proposed conservation and landscaping works with their own financial resources or those raised from partner agencies such as the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and other corporate donors
Discover, Explore and Learn more at AKDN | Revitalisation to Begin on Quli Qutb Shah Archaeological Park in Hyderabad, India
About UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites List & Qutub Shahi Monuments Initiative
The Quli Qutb Shah Archaeological Park, which includes the Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex and Deccan Park, is one of the most significant historic medieval necropolises in India. – Photo: AKTC/India
Hyderabad, 07/30/12 – Officials of the tourism department, ASI and GHMC have begun to take necessary steps to ensure that the city bags the coveted Unesco World Heritage tag for its Qutub Shahi monuments.
The Aga Khan Trust, similar to Delhi’s Humayun Tomb Initiative, is bringing their expertise to carry out works at the Qutub Shahi Tombs in collaboration with the state archeology department while the officials of GHMC and ASI are implementing suggestions laid down by an ASI sub-committee which visited the heritage structures in May this year.
The Qutub Shahi monuments of Hyderabad – the Golconda fort, Qutub Shahi Tombs and the Charminar are on the tentative world heritage sites list of Unesco’s committee.
The operational guidelines of the World Heritage Convention lays down ten selection criteria, in addition to emphasising on protection, management, authenticity and integrity of the sites.
The convention mandates that the sites should be of outstanding universal value and fulfil at least one of the ten criteria. The website of the committee lists Hyderabad’s Qutub Shahi monuments on the tentative lists and provides justification for fulfilment of four of the listed criteria.
Discover, Explore and Learn more at The Times of India | Shrines in heritage structures could spike Unesco tag hopes
Be the First to Know – Join Ismailimail
Get breaking news related to the Ismaili Imamat, the world wide Ismaili Muslim community and all their creativity, endeavors and successes.
Inspired? Share the story
Want to inspire? Send your stories to us at Ismailimail@gmail.com
Subscribe and join 20,000 + other individuals – Subscribe now!
Earlier & Related – Qutb Shahi Restoration by AKTC at Ismailimail Archives:
- India: US announces fund to conserve Taramati and Premamati Tombs
- @tatatrusts Magazine: The Qutb Shahi Heritage Park
- Is Hyderabad set to get its first world heritage site?
- Jagdish Mittal: Custodian of Culture – An anecdote of Islamic scholar Anna Marie Schimmel
- Aga Khan Development Network to plant 10,000 native trees at Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad, India
- Qutb Shahi tombs to tell stories of Qutb Shahi kings through virtual reality
- Buried truth: Restoration of the Qutb Shahi tombs leads to surprising discoveries
- Restoration of Hakim’s tombs nears completion in Hyderabad
- Qutb Shahi Tombs will be major draw now | Times of India
- Restored Qutb Shahi Heritage Park open to public
- A transformation that’s hard to believe: Qutb Shahi tombs wear a new look after restoration
- Keynote Lecture by Aga Khan Trust for Culture’s Ratish Nanda at Tata Trust’s Kalapana (2018)
- Finally, the finial gets fixed at Qutb Shahi tombs
- Hyderabad, India: His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan to address his followers tomorrow
- Conservation Work by Aga Khan Trust for Culture: Monuments at Qutb Shahi tombs set to open in March
- New finial for Hakim’s tomb: Aga Khan Trust for Culture’s Conservation and Landscape Restoration effort at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park
- MoU between Archaeology Dept of India and the Aga Khan Trust, extended until 2023
- Telangana government and Aga Khan Trust for Culture sign pact to continue to conserve, develop Qutub Shahi tombs
- Qutub Shahi period coins were more valuable than Mughal, French currency
- Aga Khan Trust to restore Quli Qutb Shah Tombs, Hyderabad, India
- First phase of Quli Qutab Shahi tombs restoration to be completed by January by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture
- Restoring Heritage – Batashewala Mughal Tomb Complex
- Golconda was the early seat of power of the Qutb Shahi dynasty
- Thanks to the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Hyderabad of minarets living up to its name!
- Download: Heritage of the Mughal World | Archnet
- Project to restore domed Qutb Shahi tombs
- Telangana State’s Legislative Assembly Member thanked Aga Khan Trust for Culture for restoration work at Qutub Shahi Tomb
- Government to seek Unesco World Heritage status for Qutub Shahi tombs, restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture
- The next Taj Mahal? New life for historic tombs of Hyderabad, India | CNN Travel
- India’s Vice President Hamid Ansari visits AKTC Restoration Project of Quli Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex in Hydrabad
- AKTC hosts “Engaging Hyderabad with Conservation” Conference
- Hyderabad, India: World Heritage Week from Nov 19 | The Hindu
- Restoration of India’s Quli Qutub Shahi tombs by Aga Khan Trust for Culture | The Hindu new
- Aga Khan Trust for Culture to promote Deccan Park in Hyderabad, India
- Aga Khan Trust for Culture India Project: Deccan Park to be merged with Qutub Shahi Tombs
- Telegraph – UK | Hyderabad, India: on the trail of the White Mughals
- The Hindu | Delving into the past – Qutb Shahi complex being restored by Aga Khan Trust for Culture
- Archaeology | “Summer Palace” Found at India’s Qutub Shahi Tombs
- Aga Khan Trust for Culture excavation team unearths 16th century ‘Summer Palace’ and a buried tunnel
- Idgah at Qutub Shahi Tombs restored in time for Eid
- Aga Khan Trust for Culture & Government of India partner to turn the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park into world premier heritage site rivaling Taj Mahal
- 16th century wall discovered at India’s historic Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad
- A new lease of life for Qutb Shahi tombs
- New discoveries at Qutb Shahi Tombs at Hyderabad | TwoCircles.net
- Blatant encroachment at Qutub Shahi tombs | The Hans India
- “If there is PARADISE on earth … “
- Aga Khan Trust for Culture Rescuing India’s Monuments: From Delhi’s Humayun Tomb to Hyderabad’s Qutub Shahi Tomb – A conversation with Ratish Nandha
- A Surprising Discovery at Qutub Shahi Tombs
- Now, the chance to adopt a heritage site in Hyderabad
- In a ‘fix’: We must resurrect the tombs
- Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Aga Khan Foundation to Revitalise Quli Qutb Shah Archaeological Park in Hyderabad, India
- Aga Khan Trust to conserve Qutub Shahi Tombs – Helping to protect cultural tradition of the historic city of Hyderabad India
- Experts in city to draw up plans for conserving tombs – The Times of India
- Hyderabad: UNESCO gets Qutub Shahi dossier
- Aga Khan Trust for Culture to restore Qutub Shahi tombs in India
Ismailimail 