The conservation and landscape restoration effort at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad has been aided by an inter-disciplinary approach wherein engineers, architects, historians, conservation architects, landscape architects, material scientists, craftsmen, designers, archivists, horticulturists, among others, have worked together to bring in required expertise
Ratish Nanda is CEO, Aga Khan Foundation, New Delhi. Among other creative interventions, he has played a crucial role in the restoration of monuments in the Nizamuddin area in Delhi, including the virtual resurrection of Sunder Nursery, as a rare and precious piece of history, along with the birds, the flowers, the architecture, and the flora and fauna. Sunder Nursery today attracts thousands of visitors, and is one of the ‘most happening’ gardens in Delhi. Here he talks to Aayushi Rana, on another incredible achievement, the restoration of the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad, which is bound to become a big success.
What makes the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad a critical site for conservation in the context of
Indian and global heritage?
The Qutb Shahi Heritage Park is a unique necropolis with over 100 standing monuments and extensive underground archaeological remains. It easily ranks among the greatest archaeological sites in India, but hasn’t been recognised as such on account of its ruinous state, till just a decade ago.
How did the Aga Khan Trust for Culture decide to take up the restoration of this specific site?
Having completed the conservation of Humayun’s Tomb and Nizamuddin monuments in Delhi as a model case study, we accepted the invitation of the government of Telangana to take responsibility of a mega conservation and landscape restoration project, at the 106-acre Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, over a decade ago. Here we are able to couple significant conservation effort with ecological and landscape restoration — now having planted over 10,000 trees on the site.
What aspects of the park’s restoration are the most challenging?
The scale of the project has been challenging, but this was overcome with significant and continuous support of the government of Telangana, as well as partnerships formed with the Tata Trusts, US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, and Indigo Reach, among others.
Another challenge has been the abuse of the judicial system by vested interests with over 100 cases filed at the Wakf Tribunal/high court – stalling important work.
Historical and Cultural Impact
How do you ensure that the architectural integrity and historical authenticity of the Qutb
Shahi structures are maintained during the restoration process?
The conservation effort, as well as the landscape restoration, is based on exhaustive documentation and understanding of this tentative world heritage site. The significance of the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park is understood for it being an incredible ensemble, and, as such, each structure has had the same level of attention and intervention.
Craftsmen have used traditional materials and building craft techniques to restore missing stucco and granite stone blocks to ensure authenticity.
In your experience, how does conservation work impact local communities and cultural tourism?
The ten year conservation effort here has helped restore the significance of this archaeological site. This, in turn, has restored a sense of pride and belonging among the local community. I believe we should see a significant increase in the number of visitors in the year ahead. Indeed, at Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi we saw a 1,000 per cent increase in the visitors’ numbers, post-garden restoration, and a similar increase is expected here.
Technical and Conservation Strategies
What are the primary materials and techniques being used to restore the tombs and other
structures? How do these align with traditional building practices?
The significant building material used for the monuments here are granite and stucco in lime mortar. The conservation effort has similarly used these materials, hand-dressed granite slabs have been restored to all monuments, from where these had been plundered or removed. Lime stucco patterns have also been consistently restored.
How do you integrate modern conservation practices while respecting the original
craftsmanship of the 16th and 17th centuries?
The conservation and landscape restoration effort at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park has been aided by an inter-disciplinary approach wherein engineers, architects, historians, conservation architects, landscape architects, material scientists, craftsmen, designers, archivists, horticulturists, among others, have worked together to bring in required expertise.
Modern technology such as 3D laser scanning, Ground Penetrating Radar Survey and advanced testing of material, together with extensive use of drawing tools, have ensured authenticity of design.
Sustainability and Landscape
What role does sustainability play in heritage conservation at the Qutb Shahi Park? Are there
eco-friendly initiatives tied to this project?
A 106 acre site, including historic gardens, gave us the opportunity to couple conservation and ecological restoration. By restoring the step-wells and regrading earth levels across the site – we are net zero for water use. This has allowed planting of over 10,000 saplings of native tree species – on the edges of the site. By the reuse of water, the project has also been net zero for waste generation.
Challenges and Future Vision
How important is community involvement in these kinds of projects? How have you engaged
the local population?
Unlike Nizamuddin Basti and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, there is no historic connect between those who reside around the tombs today and the site. However, the project has created significant infrastructure, including peripheral walking pathways for local community to use.
Furthermore, in Hyderabad, several agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network such as the Aga Khan Academy, Aga Khan Health Services and the Aga Khan Education Services are actively involved, along with the government of Telangana, to improve the quality of life of the historic city’s residents.
Lessons and Legacy
What lessons have you learned from this project that could be applied to other conservation projects in India and around the world?
In undertaking this conservation effort, we have tried to demonstrate that conservation efforts, when well executed, can fullfil several government objectives – creation of employment, significant increase in tourist numbers, significant and sustained increase in revenue, addressing climate change, instilling a sense of pride in the community, among other achievements.
What is your message to young historians and heritage enthusiasts regarding the importance of
heritage conservation in today’s fast-changing world?
Our work is our message.
Photos by Aayushi Rana.