INDIAN CASE STUDIES

Humayun’s Tomb Garden conservation

Qutb Shahi Heritage Park

 INTRODUCTION View of Qutb Shahi Tombs from the
Golkonda fort

• 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 within a
heritage zone of international
significance.
• Location - They lie in the north of
the outer perimeter wall of
Golkonda Fort
• The complex is thus one of the largest cluster of 16th –17th
century structures set within an urban green space – deserving
to be counted amongst the most significant archaeological
parks worldwide.

1. SIGNIFICANCE
The amount of change to a place should be guided by the cultural
significance of the place and its appropriate interpretation
Historical Signiftcance

Built almost five centuries ago, the structures standing

within the Archaeological Park have high historical
significance due to their associational 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.
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
 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 .
 OUTCOME

IMPROVE
HERITAGE LANDSCAPE
VISITOR
CONSERVATION DEVELOPEMENT
EXPERIENCE

CREATING
PUBLIC PRIVATE COMMUNITY
HISTORIC
PARTNERSHIP INVOLVEMENT
LINKAGES
LANDSCAPE CONCEPT
PROPOSED VISITOR ROUTE
 CONCLUSION
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.