QUTUB SHAHI MAUSOLEUMS

QUTUB SHAHI HERITAGE

PARK

RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION

CASE STUDY
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION -V
LOCATION

Location: 2 kms from Golconda Fort

How To Reach: You can opt for local transport which is easily available in the city.
28kms frm airport,16.5kms frm secendrabad railway station,found bus no 123 run frm
mehdipatnam,afzalganj to 7tombs road

ATTRACTIONS Qutub shahi dynasty mausolems,char bagh gardens,terrace

gardens,fountains,bowlis,hamam,mosques

HISTORY
One of the most important tombs at the Qutub Shahi Tombs is the one that belongs to the Qutub
Shahi dynasty founder, Sultan Quli Qutub-ul-Mulk. He built his tomb himself and was the longest
overseer of the architectural project. He also decided to build tombs that belonged to the non-ruling
members of the royal families for example the sisters, nephews and nieces. Just like the Paigah
Tombs were built for the entire Paigah nobility, the Qutub Shahi Tombs were built and dedicated to
the seven Qutub Shahi rulers and their families who ruled Golconda for nearly 170 years.
ARCHITECTURE
The grandeur of the tombs is shielded by the majestic, landscaped gardens of Ibrahim Bagh. The styles of the tombs are perhaps, the
most important reason why thousands of tourists flock the resting places of these Golconda rulers. One will be able to see Hindu,
Persian, Pathan and Deccan styles of architecture. As a result, you will be able to spot the amalgam of the Indo-Saracenic entrances,
Persian minarets, domed structures and intricately designed columns. Inside, the tombs differ in size and number. One of the most
modest looking tombs belongs to the founder of the Qutub Shahi dynasty himself-Sultan Quli Qutub-ul-Mulk.

Simple designs and geometrical symmetry are probably the only patterns that glaze his sarcophagus. However, one of the most
impressive tombs belongs to the founder of Hyderabad, Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah and rises to a height of 42 meters and protected
by a large dome. Minarets and ornamental parapets complete the Islamic architecture and his tomb. The other tombs are still awe-
inspiring in their own right. False openings, central pillars and two-tiered terraces all form an important part of the architecture of the
other tombs here. The corridors of the famous Qutub Shahi tombs are famous for its Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Pointed
arches and 28 openings add to the kingly architecture of the Qutub Shahi Tombs.
SEVEN QUTUB SHAHI TOMBS

Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk (1512-1543)

Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah (1543-1550)
Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah Wali (1550-1580)
Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (1580-1612)
Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah (1612-1626)
Abdullah Qutb Shah (1626-1672)
Hayat Bakshi Begum (Died: 1667) She was the only daughter of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.

RESTORATION

Restoration
The Telangana State Archaeology and Museums Department, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, has
restored the tombs. The restoration work started in 2013, and was unveiled by the U.S. Ambassador to India on 10
March 2020.While restoration work paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic, work has now continued at a slower rate.
CHALLENGES

Conservation and landscape restoration works at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park have faced some significant
challenges, amongst which, ongoing litigation at the Wakf Tribunal, the scale of the project -encompassing over 100
monuments and 100 acres and little knowledge of the site with lack of research and publications.

AKTC has implied in the court case at the Wakf Tribunal and assisting the government lawyers to ensure the right to
continue urgent needed conservation works. It is however, hoped that the effort required by the government to bring
this case to closure would be made and the site secured for perpetuity.

A sustained effort at architectural documentation, archaeological excavation and archival research commenced over
two years prior to commencing conservation works and has continued thereafter This has revealed monuments and
gardens that were buried or architectural elements of monuments that were buried under layers of 20th century cement
layers.

In order to overcome the challenges posed by the scale of the site, once emergency conservation works were
completed on monuments across the site, works have been taken up on clusters in a phased manner and coupled with
required landscape restoration. This has allowed the lean AKIC team to supervise conservation works on adjoining
monuments in an efficient manner
 CONSERVATION
Over the past seven years, craftsmen have clocked in 2.8 lacs mandays of work at QSHP since 2013 while
undertaking conservation works on monuments standing within the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park. Craftsmen have
used traditional tools, building materials and craft techniques to restore missing patterns and repair the
monuments. An inter-disciplinary team of engineers, conservation architects, architects have provided intense
planning support, supervision and oversight for the conservation works.

Monthly joint inspections are held with officers of the Department of Heritage to review ongoing works and agree
on proposed works for the following month. These are followed by quarterly review by the Technical committee -
as per the MoU.
LANDSCAPE RESTORATION
Till only two decades ago, the tombs were spread over a much larger area with no other buildings from the Golconda
to the Jubilee hills. However, in the 21st century, this land parcel - hundreds of acres - has been plotted and
intensively built upon.
Fortunately, new construction abutting the monuments is limited and an area of 100 acres is secured as a green
space.
The landscape master plan prepared by landscape architect, Late M Shaheer, envisaged ecological buffer zones on
the north, south and west of the complex, a core archaeological zone in the centre and an infrastructure zone on the
eastern edge.
Within the core archaeological zone, ground levels have been painstakingly been restored to original levels -
revealing rock in some places and aqueducts in others. Referencing archival records, including poetry from the Qutb
Shah court - plant species have been identified and being planted.
 ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENTATION

A detailed condition assessment of the internal and external portions of Abdullah Qutb Shah's
mausoleum was carried out before commencement of works to precisely assess the extent of
damage on multiple portions of the mausoleum. An illustrative restoration for the damaged and
missing ribs on the dome surface was prepared using the remnants of the original ribs and it helped
in restoration of ribs accurately
 DOME
Dome was found covered with a thick layer of cement plaster leading to ingress of rainwater and growth of deep rooted plants on
the dome surface. Remnants of the original ribs were visible after removal of cement plaster. Dilapidated lime plaster was found on
the 16 sided drum ands merlons situated below the dome.

ACTION TAKEN:

A 3-inch-thick layer of cement plaster was carefully removed from the dome surface exposing the remnants of the original ribs
Deeply rooted plants were removed and holes filled with rubble and lime mortar to prevent further ingress of water causing
damage to the dome masonry.
Over 13000 square feet of dome surface was re-plastered with a 3-inch-thick layer rich lime mortar and upon setting, finished with
a thin layer of lime putty mixed with organic additives.

the remnants of original ribs revealed after removal of 20th century cement.

Over 4000 square feet of plaster using lime mortar was carried out on the drum situated below the dome.

Ornamental details and stucco medallions below the dome were restored by master craftsmen.

56 merlons situated below the dome were restored after removal of 20th-century lime wash layers.

.56 ribs were restored covering the dome surface matching

 PARAPET
The minarets and the intricate lattice screens on the parapet of the mausoleum were found to be partially
damaged or missing. Most of the finials present on top of them were also observed in a dilapidated condition.
Covered with layers of cement, these minaret shafts also showed signs of deteriorated stucco.

ACTION TAKEN:

Cement layers from the minars at the mausoleum were moved and replaced with traditional lime plaster

Camaged and missing finials stop the minars were econstructed based on in situ videtide

Missing and brokes details on the minars were restored using traditional time plaster and finished wi limepunning
by master craftsmen

Framework for the missing portions of the nice screens was constructed using local stone pieces of matching
sizes and finished with ime mortar matching the original design and finished with a thin layer of lime putty applied
by the line

Damged moulding hands, floral medallions and ornamental stucco detalls were restored by master craftsmen
 INTERNAL CEILING
Domed internal ceiling was found covered with a layer of
cement plaster. Traces of original color were revealed on
the ceiling medallion and missing paint was restored based
on the existing site evidence.

ACTION TAKEN:

Ceiling medallion was documented along with removal of

20th-century cement plaster and multiple layers of
whitewash.

Ornamental stucco details were restored by master

craftsmen using rich traditional lime mortar to conserve the
ornamental ceiling medallion.

20th-century cement plaster has been removed and lime

mortar has been used to plaster the domed ceiling
A small way provided to drain water from terrace resulting
overflowing water onto wall and wall finish lime exposed to moisture
and greenish algae developed and eating lime result on facade

A long drain pipe should be placed and to match architecture we can

use granite and make drain pipe as 1m long to thrown away spillage
of water on wall
Muhammad Qutb Shah’s Tomb

This monumental mausoleum stands just north of the Badi Baoli.

Traces of ceramic glazed tile-work on the petals on the dome,
mouldings and on the neck of the dome are visible; the latter
being when the 20th century plaster on the dome has fallen.
Archival photographs revealed that the entire dome was tiled and
there is a strong possibility that much of the original tile-work
remains below the 20th century plaster layer. This is the only
dome in the complex which, in the Iranian tradition, would have
been tiled completely. Samples of tiles have been tested at three
scientific centres to understand their physical and chemical
composition. Experiments are now ongoing to produce a glaze
layer matching the colour of the existing tiles. It is planned to
begin removing the 20th century plaster layers from the dome
surface to understand the extent of tiles remaining on the dome,
with or without their glazing layer. Restoring tilework to portions of
the dome should be attempted where this is missing, to ensure
authenticity of material, form and design as well as structural
stability as this is more a protective layer even if ornamental in
appearance
MIRZA NIZAMUDDIN AHMED TOMB

Cement plaster
Lime plaster

As this tomb is not finished due to negligence of proper

maintenance leads to present situation of plants growth
on semi constructed dome

And they used both cement plaster and lime plaster to

joint structure
BADI BOWLI
Site study image gallery