Hyderabad’s Oldest Building
Board Approval: 12 June 2015 \ Rs. 55 million
The mausoleum of Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro (1757-1772 AD), the oldest building of Hyderabad, was found in a ruinous state caused by neglect, encroachments and vandalism. Its heavy dome had collapsed in the late 18th century, causing significant damage to the white marble cenotaph within, along with its beautiful railing. In 2015, EFT approved a conservation plan that called for consolidating the parts of the mausoleum damaged by encroachments, waterproofing of the structure, restoring the missing dome, and conservation of the fortification wall. The plan also included restoration of the exterior and interior kashi tile work, the muqarnas and frescoes on the interior of the tomb, as well as the damaged marble tombstone. To determine the strategy of the restoration work an Open House discussion was conducted by EFT on 3 July 2015 on-site and in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Government of Sindh. This event was attended by architects, conservators, cultural activists, academics, archaeologists, media personnel, and students of architecture, archaeology and engineering. Emphasis was laid on documentation, conservation, training and involvement of students and architects who would like to be associated with the project.
Conservation work on the different components of the tomb began in January 2017, and considerable progress has been made since. Earth filling, lime mortar plaster work and brick masonry pointing was completed on the compound wall, walkway and bastions and main gate. On the mausoleum itself, one of the principal tasks was the restoration of the kashi tile work panels on the interior and exterior of the tomb. Once the old plaster was removed and the necessary structural repairs were made, newly fabricated kashi panels were fixed in place. Other work on the interior included restoration of the muqarnas and white marble features.
External architectural features included the restoration of the structure and kashi detailing on the kiosks, parapet wall, drum and roof of the mausoleum. The tajjar, or vaulted tomb structure dedicated to female graves, was also restored with chiroli, lime mortar and soapstone, as well as the kashi jali work in its arches. The gatehouse, with its bricked windows, has also been restored and plastered. The yellow stone flooring outside the mausoleum has also been re-fixed.
Presently, the only work that remains is the fresco work on the interior of the tomb. While frescos on the inner ceiling and girders have been conserved, those found on the circular shaped wall and the arches are still in progress. Fresco artists from Multan have been called in to lend their expertise to this task. Work is expected to be completed in 2020.
