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.
Qutb Shahi tomb (Photo: via The New Indian Express)
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.
Qutb Shahi tombs (Photo: G. Ramakrishna via The Hindu)
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.
Qutb Shahi tomb (Photo: PTI via Deccan Chronicle)
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 Mar 1, 2015, 06.02 AM IST Mar 1, 2015, 06.02 AM 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
From Ismailimail Archives: Hyderabad, 10/01/13.
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
From Ismailimail Archives: Hyderabad, 10/01/13.
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
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Earlier & Related – Qutb Shahi Restoration by AKTC at Ismailimail Archives:
The Deccan’s largest necropolis: The Qutb Shahi Tombs
Government of India to Improve Facilities at Qutb Shahi Tombs, works with Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme
A Surprising Discovery at Qutub Shahi Tombs
Jamshed Quli’s tomb set to regain lost lustre – Aga Khan Trust for Culture to spearhead the Project
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
“If there is PARADISE on earth … “
Blatant encroachment at Qutub Shahi tombs | The Hans India
Now, the chance to adopt a heritage site in Hyderabad
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