THE ROYALTY OF NIZAM IN DANGER

Nizams, the royalties- the permanent residents of the city Hyderabad has gifted the city with the most precious gifts that has lasted for years. The Nizams were fond of two things the most. Jewels i.e. ‘Pearls’ and ‘Architecture’. Most of Hyderabad still comes under the Nizam constituency giving the city its immensely beautiful architecture. Many of the colleges, hospitals, bank buildings in the old city area of Hyderabad are all the Nizam’s (rehaish) resting places or their begums (wife) cottages converted for further use by the Hyderabadis.

Its not just Charminar, Golconda Fort or the Chowmalla and Falaknuma Palaces that the Nizams have given Hyderabad as their priceless gifts to remember them by. In fact there are numerous heritage buildings in the twin cities which cannot be counted on fingers. There are almost 140 buildings listed as heritage buildings in Hyderabad each having their own beautiful histories and stories behind those strong walls. As of now, 151 buildings and 30 heritage precincts have been declared as heritage buildings by the HMDA.  The number of heritage buildings rose to 166. These heritage buildings stand out uniquely in their architectural style which anybody can recognize in the first look itself.

Now the city faces its most mournful and bitter time in an attempt to save its unique history.  Charminar, which stands as a recognition and mark of the city, is endangered with illegal constructions around it which is intruding its history. HUDA, the Hyderabad Urban Development Authorities have made an initiative to rupture the illegal construction and prevent the city's legacy from being destroyed.

The Golconda Fort, standing 400 ft above the ground level is in the most deteriorating condition. Most of its walls are broken down, the carvings fallen off and walls filled with engraves spoiling its beauty as a historical monument.

Everybody has a fantasy in their eye for the treasures of the royal family to imagine their royal living. To recapture the history alive and to experience the royalties as if they are living around us, the Salarjung museum had done the best job in guarding the treasures of the family. But this was also an attempt in vain as many royal treasures has been reported missing and stolen from the safe and replaced with artificial remakes.

Many building are torn down to make new constructions.  Every nook and corner of the historic twin city holds a heritage building that has been ignored and left unprotected. Most of these places are getting damaged because of the low maintenance or complete negligence by the authorities. The royal stone and wood used for the constructions are not decaying slowing because of the atmospheric gases exposed to the walls of the great buildings and are thus worsening the heritage structures.

The direct descendants of the royal family, the Prince and the Princess who are now the citizens of England and have made an attempt to restore the legacy of their forefathers by appointing historians and architects to rebuild the history and safeguard their family name. The historical structures, paintings, photographs, royal treasures are being refurbished to get its glory back to shine.

Where nature and authorities are damaging the heritage of the city many youngsters too spoil the historical buildings. Writings on the walls, urinating, spitting are furthermore destroying these legends. If care isn’t taken, they might just go down in history like they never even existed.

Maria