Hyderabad: Vice President Hamid Ansari along with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor E S L Narasimhan visited the historic Quli Qutb Shahi Tombs complex here on Sunday (March 6th).
During the one hour spent at the necropolis site, Vice President Ansari appreciated the ongoing restoration works by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).
Ansari asked the Telangana government and Aga Khan Foundation to explore the possibility of attracting tourists to this spot as these structures do not find required recognition on tourism map, an official release said.
The project for restoration of the over 400-year-old tombs complex started in 2013 after the AKTC signed a memorandum of understanding with Telangana state department of archaeology and museums.
AKTC Project Director Ratish Nanda said there are 75 structures, including 23 mosques spread out over 108 acres.
These monuments are popularly known as seven tombs and are built in Iranian architecture style. The restoration works taken up by AKTC at a cost of Rs 100 crore would be completed in a span of 10 years, he added.
Also present were Sri Md.Mahamood Ali, Hon’ble Deputy CM, Sri B. Venkatesham, Secretary Tourism, Sri Mahesh Baghat, IG Security Wing, Mrs. Visalatchy, Director Archaeology, Sri A. Venkateshwar Rao, DCP, West Zone, Aga Khan Foundation, Chairman Dr. Abad Ahmad and other senior officials.
Source:
- The Hindu | Ansari visits Qutub Shahi tombs
- Siasat Daily | Ansari visits Quli Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex Hyderabad
- Siasat Daily | Historical Vist to Seven Tombs
AKTC & Qutub Shahi Tombs Complex Initiative
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 (AKDN) 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
Research, Insight & Perspective by A. Maherali
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