Refurbished Qutb Shahi tombs to attract tourists

Hyderabad: The first phase of the Rs 100-crore project funded by Aga Khan Trust of conserving the 80 monuments spread over 106 acres at Qutb Shahi tombs has been completed and would be formally inaugurated by Tourism Minister Azmeera Chandulal and IT & MAUD Minister K T Rama Rao on Wednesday.

Twenty-two monuments have been conserved that are supported by the Tata Trust and the landscape works by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

The tombs are always referred to as seven tombs or saat maqbara referring to the tombs of seven kings but there are 80 monuments, including 40 mausoleums, six step wells out of which one was recently restored that can now hold 3.3 million litres of water, pavilions, gardens and hamams. The refurbished tombs are likely to attract tourists in big numbers.

Ratish Nanda of Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) says, “Four out of the 10 critical monuments are similar in scale to that of the Taj Mahal and the project also brought to light that well laid out gardens were a part of the scheme of things.”

The conservation is being taken up with the latest technology available such as 3D laser scan data that is usually used in nuclear plants to detect leaks while documenting conservation but when it came to conservation of monuments, traditional material was used and master craftsmen from across the country are working on the stucco work.

In several instances, the craftsmen had to painstakingly peel out layers of cement to bring back the intricate designs that included pineapples, dragons and flowers reminiscent of Iranian influence.  Closer home, gun metal workers in the Old City near Chowk market are making finials for the tombs.

Saleem of Syndicate manufacturers, who is one among the last few who make finials, says, “I am excited to work for this project as I know these will add to the beauty and I am proud that we too have contributed to the tombs.”

Yoshwant Purohit, project manager, AKTC says, “We could have got it done with modern machinery but the philosophy of AKTC is to bring authenticity.” AKTC took up conservation of the necropolis in 2013 and the Qutb Shahi tombs which is now come to be known as Qutb Shahi Heritage Park is on the tentative list of world heritage list.