T. Lalith Singh: Is the government doing its bit to preserve and conserve the past?
M.A. Qayyum: No administration can afford to shy away from taking the pledge of preserving the monuments of this city. The governments have been doing all that can be done and other groups such as Aga Khan Trust have joined the initiatives which is a welcome sign. But then, citizens too have a role to play and they should strive to keep encroachments away from the historical sites.
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
M.A. Qayyum, authority on Hyderabad’s heritage, says each city is caught in a time warp and the same is true of the old city.
NATIONAL » TELANGANA – Updated: August 17, 2015 05:47 IST
He ranks high among the authoritative commentators on Hyderabad, its past, heritage and archaeology. During a long stint with the Department of Archaeology and Museums, from where he retired as Deputy Director a decade ago, M.A. Qayyum has been instrumental in identification and protection of several sites of heritage and archaeological value in the city. And from Qutb Shahi period to Asaf Jahi regime, he can narrate tales in detail with a certain ease that is rare to find.
“Every city has a part which is caught in a time warp and refuses to lose its identity and same is true with the old city of Hyderabad,” Mr. Qayyum tells T. Lalith Singh.
Read the complete interview via The Hindu | Delving into the past
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