Will preserve Telangana’s culture and heritage: CM Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad, July 28 (IANS): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday said his government wants to preserve Telangana’s culture and heritage and proudly put it on the world map.

He was taking part in an event marking the completion of the restoration of the historic Qutub Shahi Tombs by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

The restoration project was jointly undertaken by the Government of Telangana and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, with support from the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).

The preservation of more than 100 monuments on 106 hectares was one of the largest conservation programs launched in 2013.

Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Prince Rahim Aga Khan and others attended the meeting.

The Prime Minister, on behalf of the State Government and the people of Hyderabad, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the cooperation and generosity of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in preserving the historical monuments.

Revanth Reddy said the Qutub Shahi Heritage Park and the Seven Tombs are testament to the architectural skills and cultural wealth of the Nizam dynasty.

The Chief Minister noted that Telangana is endowed with thousands of years of history, culture and traditions. This region was ruled by Satavahanas, Kakatiyas, Qutub Shahis and others. He said that each ruler has left his own unique cultural stamp.

“Telangana is the centre of architectural wonders like Charminar, Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi Tombs, Thousand Pillar Temple, Ramappa Temple, Alampur Temple etc,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that Hyderabad is best known for its ‘Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb’ and that there is harmony and co-existence of people of diverse cultures in this city.

Telangana takes pride in the Ramappa Temple, which has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Asaduddin Owaisi thanked Aga Khan Trust, Government of Telangana and US Consulate for restoring a great historical heritage of Hyderabad. He urged the Chief Minister to consider the Aga Khan Trust’s proposal for maintaining the tombs.

The Qutub Shahi Tombs are the largest royal necropolis in the world and are a major tourist attraction.

With over 100 monuments, including mausoleums of rulers from the Qutub Shahi dynasty (1518-1687), the sprawling complex at the foot of the majestic Golconda Fort has been revived.

The complex called Qutub Shahi Heritage Park consists of 40 mausoleums, 23 mosques, stairwells, a hammam (mortuary bath), pavilions and garden structures, each with its own striking grandeur and a unique synthesis of architectural styles.

The restoration of the royal necropolis began in 2013, when a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for an integrated conservation and landscape restoration project of the tomb complex by the then Andhra Pradesh State Department of Archaeology and Museums, QQSUDA, AKTC and the Aga Khan Foundation.

The entire complex is divided into three zones: the archaeological core area, a visitor centre and a biodiversity zone.

The conservation activities were carried out by master craftsmen working with stone and lime. The project involved an artisanal approach, reviving traditional building crafts and using traditional materials in conservation.

In November 2022, UNESCO recognized the protection of six step wells (Baolis) at the Qutub Shahi tombs with an award.

It is believed that all of these stepwells were built between the 16th and 17th centuries under the first ruler of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, Sultan Qutb-ul-Mulk.