A Landmark of Cultural Renaissance
Board Approval: 25 April 2019 \ Rs. 10 million
Besant Hall is located opposite the General Post Office near the Press Club and Radio Pakistan Hyderabad, and is one of Hyderabad’s famous landmarks. The architecture of Besant Hall is characteristic of the British colonial period. It is dedicated to Miss Annie Besant, famous theosophist, social reformer, human rights activist and politician of the subcontinent. The hall was constructed in 1901 by Colonel Alcot, and was inaugurated by Miss Besant in 1917. It was used for social political, intellectual and cultural programs which were organised by both public and private organisations/departments. It is looked after by the local Theosophical Society and presently has been handed over to EFT for its restoration.
Set up on a high stone plinth, the building is built in bricks and finished with lime plaster. The roof consists of mild steel beams and joists, and the joint work is in teak wood. Visually and structurally incompatible repairs/additions/alterations carried out in cement have destabilised and suffocated the structure. The ingress of moisture from the roof and groundwater have weakened the building; the steel joists have rusted, the walls have cracked, bulged, and in some cases are on the verge of collapse.
Discussions about restoring Besant Hall began in April 2019, when it was confirmed in a meeting with the Commissioner of Hyderabad that EFT will implement the rehabilitation of the building with its own resources. After entering into a Project Agreement with the President of the Theosophical Society, Hyderabad and assuming possession of Besant Hall, EFT then conducted a detailed condition assessment in May 2019, and prepared a conservation plan for the building. The project was estimated to cost Rs. 10 million, and to be carried out over a period of 12 months.
Emergency work had to be carried out later in August as a result of significant damage caused by monsoon rains in July and August. The project is expected to be completed by December 2020. When completed, this building will be used for community purposes as a library, community hall, etc. EFT will manage it for 10 years, after which the premises will be handed over to the Theosophical Society