The restoration of the majestic Qutub Shahi Tombs complex that represents the splendid fusion of Indo-Persian-Deccani architecture has hit a roadblock with some citizens approaching the Wakf Tribunal for intervention. The Tribunal has promptly stayed the conservation work.
The litigation process was triggered by the news that Agha Khan Trust for Culture was showing interest in restoring the tombs and other monuments in the complex as it had done in case of the Humayun Tombs in Delhi. Humayun Tomb, also considered a wakf property like Qutub Shahi Tombs, is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India.
Incidentally its location, landscape and architectural beauty attracted global attention and it is now one of the few World Heritage Sites in the country. Many conservationists believe that Qutub Shahi Tombs, rapidly disintegrating due to decades of neglect, too has the potential of becoming a World Heritage Site.
The questions now being raised are: who is the owner of the tombs complex __ the Wakf Board or the department of archaeology and museums or the Quli Qutub Shah Urban Development Authority, and who should have the authority to initiate restoration. The Qutub Shahi sultans who ruled between 1518 and 1687 built the tomb covered graves for themselves and their close relatives. The first sultan of the dynasty, Mohammed Quli Qutbul Mulk, ordered the construction of his own mausoleum which is simple in design and architecture.
The most majestic and imposing of all the tombs is that of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the founder of Hyderabad. The complex is unique as all but the last sultan of the dynasty—Abul Hasan Tanashah—are buried here. After the fall of the dynasty at the hands of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb the complex fell into neglect. The last ruler of the succeeding Asaf Jahi dynasty, Mir Osman Ali Khan, ordered restoration of the complex. Ghulam Yazdani, the first director of the department of archaeology, who took charge in 1914, carried out extensive surveys of the tomb complex.
According to historian M A Qaiyum, Mir Osman Ali Khan, after he lost his kingdom, felt that it was becoming too much of a burden to maintain the necropolis and wrote to the Indian government seeking to hand over its charge. However, Abdul Waheed Khan, the director of the department of archaeology, prevailed upon the Nizam to give its custody to the state government. The department took over the graveyard in 1965 but it was only in 1977 that the successor of the Nizam, Mir Barkat Ali Khan alias Mukarram Jah formalised the agreement with the department. The extent of land handed over to the department at that time was only 42 acres. Khan acquired land from around the tomb areas and added it to the original property.
In the meantime, the defence ministry which had inherited some land from the government of the Nizam, gave it to the QQQSUDA for the construction of Deccan Park.
Sources say that the Wakf Board never took interest in the complex and allowed the department or archaeology a free hand. It also raised no objection when an MoU was signed between the department of archaeology and the Agha Khan Trust for Culture on the restoration of the complex in January this year. A senior member of the Wakf Board said that the institution has too many other properties to look after. When a government department takes charge of a property like Qutub Shahi Tombs it feels relieved. Now, the petitioners contend that the 1977 agreement between the Nizam and the government has been violated by the MoU between Agha Khan Trust for Culture and the department.
Whatever the tribunal may order the need of the hour is to save the Qutub Shahi Tombs and have it declared as a World Heritage Site. Since the Nizam and his representatives are out of the picture, it is the Wakf Board and the state government represented by the department of archealogy and museums and the QQSUDA who should decide on the matter. The Aga Khan Trust which has promised to invest about Rs 100 crore in the restoration should be allowed to continue the work without any delay.
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