Pioneer of Osmanian architecture remembered

Vincent Jerome Esch (1876 – 1950), the pioneer of Osmanian Architecture on whose contributions the landscape of the city is adorned with received praise in the Dr Sheela Raj memorial lecture organised by the HEH the Niozam’s Museum Hyderabad, held at the at Salar Jung Museum here on Wednesday.

Historic constructions and its architecture from western and eastern influences were touched upon by Sajjad Shahid, city historian and columnist who delivered the memorial lecture by illustrating architectures of historic monuments constructed by Vincent J. Esch through presentation and also elaborated the history of Hyderabad from Mughal period to the Nizam period & influence of Indo – Saracenic movement in relation with the city.

He also mentioned that the rulers of Hyderabad were highly influenced by European architecture which inspired them to create an identity for the city through Indo – Saracenic movement till the late 19th century’. Vincent J. Esch’s contributions to Hyderabad such as the first Railway station in Kachiguda in the year 1916, High Court (1920), City College (1921), Courts of Wards changed to Jagurdars college to now called Hyderabad Public School (1924), Osmania Hospital (1925) and many others.

He said in the aftermath of the catastrophic Musi River floods in 1908; a City Improvement Board was duly established. Its principal work was to revive the much prized monuments. He made a passionate pea to the authorities and the common man to ensure that the grandeur of such monumental buildings would be restored to their original glory.

He called upon every individual to take it as a societal responsibility as there was a rich history behind each such structure. Former JNTU professor, Dr A Shareef, Princess Rasheedunnisa Begum, granddaughter of the Nizam and trustee , Dr. Narayan Raj, husband of Dr Sheela Raj, Dr D Bhaskar Rao, chief curator of Nizam’s Museum were present on the occasion.

By:Sindhura Dharmasanam