Mir Karam Ali Khan Talpur Tomb Complex, Hyderabad

A Symbol of Grace and Poise

In the late 18th century Mir Fateh Ali Khan Talpur, the founder of the dynasty adopted a novel system of power sharing. Sindh was divided into three principal units: Hyderabad, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas. The Hyderabad branch adopted a system by which senior members of the family jointly ruled the region. Mir Fateh Ali Khan, along with his three brothers, Mir Ghulam Ali, Mir Karam Ali and Mir Murad Ali, became the Chauyars (four friends) and their government was known as Chauyari. With the death of Mir Ghulam Ali, Mir Karam Ali ascended the throne in 1812 C.E. Mir Karam Ali Khan Talpur was a poet and the Diwan i Karam is his well-known collection. He ruled for seventeen years and is the first Talpur ruler to be buried in Hyderabad in the precincts of the area referred to as the tombs of the Amirs of Sindh. The tomb is a square building crowned by a hemispherical dome with three tiered glazed finial resting on an inverted lotus base. At each corner, there is a kiosk, surmounted by a domelet with a miniature finial. Each side of the kiosk contains an arched paneling provided with glazed terracotta screens. The façade of the mausoleum has been constructed in such a way as to give an impression that the building has three storeys. This has been done by dividing each side of the façade into three ornamental storeys. Each containing recessed blind arches, one upon the other. This innovation has got its roots in Taq i Kisra (Iran) from where it was adopted in the Alai Darwazah, Delhi. The tomb is covered on exterior with glazed terracotta tiles in different shapes and patterns. The interior is decorated with frescoes and glazed tiles. With the passage of time and intemperate weather conditions, vandalism and neglect, the entire complex is in a dilapidated condition particularly its kashi tile work has suffered and the tomb has lost its grace and architectural poise. Responding to a request for restoration of the structure, the Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh on May 24, 2010, initiated work on the restoration of the tomb. Along with the Badshahi Bungalow, restoration work on the Mir Karam Ali Khan Talpur tomb is in full swing and near completion. Special care is being taken to retain the originality of the patterns and the durability of the tiles

Conservation:

Board approval: 18th June 2013
Financial assistance: Rs. 29.726 million
(Mir Karam Ali Talpur Tomb Complex and Badshahi Bungalow)
To monitor the progress and quality of work of Mir Monuments Hyderabad, the Chairman Finance and Technical Committee of EFT Mr. Mazhar-ul-Haq Siddiqui visited the site on June 6, 2013. The Chairman of EFT Mr. Jahangir Siddiqui also visited the site on August 31, 2013 to supervise the status of implementation of works being carried out since October 2010