HYDERABAD: ASHOORKHANA REGAINS ITS GRANDEUR

C R GOWRI SHANKER

Experts restore city’s oldest monument ravaged by time

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   Restoration works going on at the          Badshahi Ashoor Khana.

Hyderabad: The centuries-old Badshahi Ashoorkhana, the house of mourning for Shia Muslims near the Madina Building, has regained its past grandeur.

Made of lime mortar, wood and other material the ashoorkhana was built during 1592-96 AD. It is one of the earliest buildings in Hyderabad and among the oldest Imambadas in India.

Time, nature and other factors had hit the famed building hard; a part of the building, roof and wall of the Niyaz Khana in the complex had collapsed following incessant rains in August, 2014. Several structures in the complex also developed cracks and leaks forcing the Department of Archaeology and Museums, which is the custodian of the ancient structure, to step in.

Under the supervision of Archaeology and Museums director N.R. Visalatchy and her team of experts, the main Ashoorkhana besides the niyaz khana (place for cooking) and Chota Ashoorkhana, where the smaller alams are stored, were among the six structures that were restored.

Restoration of other structures like naqqar khana, abdar khana, langar khana, main gate, the chaburta, guardroom fencing is yet to be taken up.

“It was a very cumbersome process to restore the over four-century old structures. We brought in experts to ensure that the intricate designs were restored properly. So far, we have spent about Rs 60 lakh. We still have to do lot more,” said Mohd Raheem Sha Ali, deputy director (engineering), department of archaeology and museums.

“The artistic tiles work on the walls was completed in the guardant regime of Abdullah Qutub Shah. The building is a unique model of Islamic calligraphy and art,” Mr Sha Ali said.

Meanwhile, Mir Nawazish Ali Moosvi, the mujawar of the Ashoorkhana requested the department to take up other pending restoration work. He had earlier moved the High Court to check encroachments and delay in the restoration works.

History

Bade-Shahi Ashoor Khana, Near Charminar

It is an important Islamic Holy Religious place located near Charminar, constructed by the Emperor Sultan Quli Qutub Shah in 1594 A.D. to keep Alams.

Badshahi Ashurkhana is located about 90 mts. South of Naya Pool and towards north of the Madina Building. Built during 1592-96 A.D. It is one of the earliest buildings in Hyderabad and among the oldest Imambaras in India. 

Timber colonnades in façade are the latest additions made between 1762 A.D. and 1802 A.D. This building is famous for the enamel tiled mosaics in Persian style comparable to those in Lahore and Multan (Pakistan). The artistic tiles work on the walls was completed in the guardant regime of Abdullah Qutub Shah. 

The Building is unique model of Islamic Calligraphy and Art. The other secular structures located in the premises are Naubath Khana, Naqar Khana, Niyaz Khana, Abdar Khana Court Yard, Main entrance gate and other Saraias in an area of one acre of land.

It is necessary to conserve and restore damaged structural edifices  in order to obtain original antiquity of the monument and to commence Islamic Heritage Museum and interpretation centre after computingconservation/ restoration works.

 DC Feb 28, 2016