1.

INTRODUCTION

 Nestled at the foot of the majestic

Golconda Fort, the Qutb Shahi tomb is
spread over 106 acres. This necropolis
of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, that ruled
the region for 169 years in the 16th–
17thcenturies, includes
• 40 Mausoleums,
• 23 Mosques,
• 6 Baolis (step-wells),
• A hammam (mortuary bath),
• Pavilions and Garden structures set
View of Qutb Shahi Tombs from the Golkonda fort
within a heritage zone of international
significance.
• Location - They lie in the north of the
outer perimeter wall of Golkonda Fort

DESCRIPTION OF SITE
UNCESCO WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE
Qutb Shahi Heritage Park: Conservation and Landscape
Project Team In Qutb Shahi Heritage Park:
Restoration
Conservation and Landscape Restoration, annual • DOCUMENTATION REPORT
report 2014. Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2014. • Architectural Documentation
Aga Khan Development Network • Condition Assessment
•Director • Archival Research
•Secretary • Monument Files
•Draughtsman • Tree Mapping
•Landscape Architects • Topographical Survey
• Landscape Analysis
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY & MUSEUM • Bird Mapping
FORMER DIRECTORS • Structural Assessment
•Conservation/Engineering • Tile Documentation
QULI QUTUB SHAH URBAN DEVELOPMENT • Petrologic Studies
AUTHORITY • Lime Mortar Centre
GREATER HYDERABAD MUNICIPAL CORPORATION • Visitor Analysis
•Project Central Zone • Conservation Plan

• ARCHEALOGY REPORT - 2014-2016

The excavations at Qutb Shahi Heritage Park (lat. 17o-33’’ long. 78o-1’’)
were carried out under the Directorship of Dr. Brahmachari, Deputy
Director, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums assisted by Mr. K.K
Muhammed and other archaeologists from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
Archival photographs .
SCOPE AND NEED FOR RESTORATION

 The number of historic structures in the complex, proximity to Golconda Fort,

available space for tourist infrastructure such as an interpretation centre and parking space
make the Archaeological Park potentially an ideal starting point for visitors to view the Qutb
Shahi heritage of Hyderabad – a potential World Heritage Site.

Thecomplexisthusoneofthelargestclusterof16th –17th century structures set withinanurban

green space – deserving to be countedamongst the most significant archaeological parks
worldwide.

SIGNIFICANCE

a primary objective of this conservation initiative is to improve visitor experience and

enhance the cultural significance of the Quli Qutb Shahi Archaeological Park. This is especially
important since this complex is of international significance yet has suffered at least two
centuries of neglect resulting in the protected area being considerably limited and any traces of
16th century landscape design have now been lost as are the furnishings that are said to have
adorned these structures.

HISTORICAL CULTURAL ARCHITECTURAL ARCHEOLOGICAL POLITICAL

SIGNIFICANCE SIGNIFICANCE SIGNIFICANCE SIGNIFICANCE SIGNIFICANCE
 Built almost five centuries ago, the structures standing within the
HISTORICAL Archaeological Park have high historical significance due to their associational
SIGNIFICANCE values. This is true especially for the tombs of the seven Sultans, the tomb of
Hayat Baksh Begum, the Great Mosque, the ornate water structures, the
unique Mortuary baths, amongst others.

A historic building has architectural, aesthetic, historic, documentary,

ARCHITECTURAL archaeological , economic, social and even political and spiritual or
SIGNIFICANCE symbolic values, but the first impact is always emotional, for it is symbol
of our cultural identity and continuity – a part of our heritage.

The concept of a historic monument embraces not only the single

ARCHEOLOGICAL architectural work but also the urban or rural setting in which is found the
SIGNIFICANCE
evidence of a particular civilization

POLITICAL Conservation of cultural heritage in all its forms and historical periods is
SIGNIFICANCE rooted in the values attributed to the heritage

It is recognized that ‘the cultural significance of many places is not readily

CULTURAL apparent, and should be explained by interpretation’ and as such, the
SIGNIFICANCE Conservation Plan needs to be prepared to ensure cultural significance is
enhanced as a result of conservation works.
 CONSERVATION PROCESS
Before any practical work starts, a project must be prepared on the basis of said research and must
be submitted to a group of experts for joint examination and approval.

METHODOLOGY

2. DOCUMENTATION AND
1. IDENTIFY THE PLACE
RESEARCH

3. STATEMENT OF
SIGNIFICANCE

4. CONSERVATION
PHILOSOPHY

5. PEER REVIEW

6. CONSERVATION PLAN

7. ALLOCATE RESOURCES/
MANAGE

9. COMPLETION REPORT/
8. SUPERVISION
PUBLICATION
1. Identify the Place
The need for extensive conservation and landscape works in the Quli Qutb Shah Tomb complex is felt necessary to
ensure long term preservation, enhance visitor understanding and experience of the Qutb Shahi heritage of
Hyderabad.

2. Documentation and Research

Documentation and research exercise has been carried out as a precursor to this conservation proposal.

3. Statement of Significance
Prior to outlining the conservation philosophy it was considered essential to define the significance as is understood
by the project team. This is to be read in conjunction with the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value as per the
nomination dossier.

4. Conservation Philosophy
The conservation works preceded by high standards of recording to be undertaken are focused on restoring the
‘spirit and feeling’ of the space with an emphasis on craftsmanship, interpretation and supervision.

5. Peer Review
Evaluation of the importance of the elements involved and the decision as to what may be destroyed cannot rest
solely on the individual in charge of the work .Additionally, being a related place to the WHS, it is considered
essential by the partner agencies that prior to commencement of conservation works, the Conservation Plan is
discussed with national and international experts.
6. Conservation Plan
Following the incorporation of the comments from the review process, the Conservation Plan (text, photographs and drawings)
will be circulated for comments by experts. The final conservation Plan will be available on the Project website and thus
accessible worldwide.

7. Allocate Resources/ Manage

Project will commence following sufficient financial resources having been pledged/ raised. The project has access to technical
staff, national and international experts. In order to ensure quality of craftsmanship all works will be carried out by
mastercraftsmen.Similarly traditional materials –stone, lime, tiles – of quality will be procured.

8. Supervision
Conservation works will be carried out in keeping with the conservation plan and be guided by experienced Engineers and
Conservation Architects. A conservation architect and a junior engineer will be present at all times during conservation works and
will be assisted by field supervisors.

9. Completion Report/ Publication

The conservation project will culminate with the writing of a completion report.In addition the annual report will document
works carried out in the preceding year.
RESTORATION
• The restoration of the Mughal Emperor Humayun’s 16th
century garden tomb, the jewel of Mughal architecture that
predates the Taj Mahal, was completed by the Aga Khan Trust
for Culture in September of 2013. Six years of conservation
works and 200,000 work days undertaken by master
craftsmen have been required to restore the Tomb’s MughalQUTB SHAHI
finery. TOMB COMPLEX
ARCHEALOGICAL
PARK

MASTER PLAN
PRINCIPAL CONSERVATION WORKS
Architectural documentation of most structures included plans, sections, elevations which,
coupled with photographic documentation, were used as the basis of condition mapping to
identify conservation issues that require to be addressed.
•Water Seepage
•Inappropriate new plaster works
•Capillary water rise
•Glazed Tile Works
•Platforms
•Decayed plaster works
•Flooring
•Uneven wall surfaces
•Graffiti
Some specific tasks that would be required to be undertaken across almost all
structures include:
1. Vegetation removal
2. Cleaning of the surfaces
3. Checking water seepage
4. Structural repair works
5. Repairing decayed masonry
6. Conservation of the decayed plaster works.
7. Flooring
8. Conservation of the glazed tile works
9. Platforms
 SITE SLOPES &LEVEL DRAINAGE & WATER
Landscape analysis
The development of a design, or the conceptual
direction in which the proposed landscape plan VEGETATION
ACCESS MOVEMENT
& ACTIVITY
should proceed would follow from a close
appraisal the existing situation, including:
EXISTING
MONUMENTS
SITE SLOPES & LEVELS The site slopes VISUAL SETTING
broadly in a diagonal direction from North-
west to South- east, and West to East in a part
of the southern section. The difference in level
between the highest and lowest places- Vegetation
located at the north-west and south-east
corners respectively is 24 m, over a distance of • Vegetation occurs within the site in three
approximately 600 m. (Fig1) broad patterns.
• First is the native forest type vegetation
Drainage and water-bodies
towards the northern and western
Figure 3 shows the natural flow of peripheries of the site.
rainwater runofff following the slope
• Second is the pattern of scattered groups
from North-west to South-east. It is
and individual trees amongst the
mostly sheet flow without any very monuments..
clearly defined channels, though some
• Third is the quite dense, ornamental
very gentle local valley formations are planting in the Deccan park area, much of it
discernible from the contour shapes.(Fig avenue planting along paths and roads in
3) very definite linear alignments.(Fig 4 )
Access , movement and activity (Fig 5)
Deccan Park rather than the Qutb Shahi heritage precinct seems to have pride of place on the main
road. Entry to the historical precinct is awkwardly placed to one side, and the area of the Deccan
Park in its present shape appears virtually as a barrier hindering easy and convenient access to the
main spaces of the Qutb Shahi complex.
Existing monuments, their visual setting and relationship to the landscape
(Fig 6)
The primary intent of the landscape plan would be to restore in some way,
however limited, the visual integrity of this historical landscape. Its
architecture and spatial quality can be better appreciated and understood if the
visual dominance of its urban surroundings can be reduced or indeed excluded .
LANDSCAPE CONCEPT
PROPOSED VISITOR ROUTE
 OUTCOME

IMPROVE
HERITAGE LANDSCAPE
VISITOR
CONSERVATION DEVELOPEMENT
EXPERIENCE

CREATING
PUBLIC PRIVATE COMMUNITY
HISTORIC
PARTNERSHIP INVOLVEMENT
LINKAGES
 The main aims of the landscape plan are to:
- Visually secure the periphery of the site by implementing a planting strategy that buffers
the historical area from its surroundings.

- Improve the entrance experience by increasing frontage on to the main road, and
creating an entrance plaza or garden with associated visitor facilities.

- Organise the footpath system for visitors using the axes of the main monuments, and to
define the a visitor-route related to the history and sequential development of the
complex.

- Conserve existing trees and improve specific areas as well as the spaces immediately
around monuments through more tree planting and the development of open garden
spaces in a format appropriate to to the historical character of the site.

- Conserve existing land-form on the site that is recognised to be the outcome of its
historical development. At the same time modify and integrate inappropriate earth-
shaping implemented in contemporary times.

- Conserve and improve historical water-bodies and wells, and depending on

feasibility and relevance modify, remove or incorporate othe water features developed
in the recent past.
- Provide for appropriate recreation activities in the eastern section in the
vicinity of the entrance zone, to add to visitor interest and activity.

- Suggest possible sites suitable for the developent of a major

interpretation centre and visitor facilities.
- The notional spatial and visual relationship between older and later
tombs diagonally across the site
- The visual axes arising out of the architectural symmetry of major buildings
- Some major spaces defined by buildings or topography