Hayath Bakshi Begum mosque going under restoration works. (Photo: DC)
Hyderabad: The famous centuries-old Hayath Bakshi Begum mosque at Hayathnagar, about 16 km from the city on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway, has been restored.
Built on a raised platform, which makes the structure even more imposing, the mosque, based on Qutb Shahi architecture, overlooks the 133 sarais (inns for travellers) on either side.
The unique edifice had crumbled due to age and was restored after an eight-month effort by the department of archaeology and museums. Restoration of sarais and others structures will be be taken up depending on the availability of funds.
“We spent about Rs 1 crore for restoration of
the mosque and brought in skilled workers from Peddapur, Kakinada and stone
workers from Guntur. The lime mortar for restoration was brought from
Pidugurala in Prakasam district, famous for the raw material,” said Mohd Raheem
Shah Ali, deputy director (engineering), department of archaeology and museums.
He said that time
and nature had taken its toll on the structure. “It’s a beautiful mosque. We
ensured the original design was retained. The workers we have hired are adept
at this,” Mr Shah Ali said.
Thanks to the release of Rs 45 crore by 13th
Finance Commission, the department took up renovation of not only the mosque
but also several other structures under its control in the state. Out of the
133 sarais, restoration works have been completed in 45 rooms and work is
continuing.
HISTORY
Hayath Bakshi Begum, mother of Abdullah Quli Qutb Shah VI, was popularly known as Ma Saheba (Reverend Mother). She was the only daughter of the fourth king Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad and married his nephew Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah who became the fifth king.
She played a very prominent political role during the reign of all the three Qutb Shahi rulers. She died in the year 1666 CE at the age of 76.
At about 16 kms. to the east of Hyderabad, Hayatnagar was founded by Hayat Bakshi Begum. This place is on the trade route from Surat to Masulipatnam. Here a fairly large Mosque with facade of five arches was constructed on a raised platform.
This Mosque is also known as Hayatnagar “Grand Mosque”. In this complex a Sarai (Guest houses for travellers) consisting of 134 rooms was constructed in the vast courtyard which occupies an area of nearly 5 acres. In this complex there is a well known as “Hathi Bowli”.
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