Telangana courts Premamati

Hyderabad: Premamati masjid, a deserted mosque on a hillock overlooking the Taramati Baradari on the way to Gandipet, it is getting a facelift from the Telangana department of archaeology and museums.

According to historical accounts, the mosque, located 13 km west of Hyderabad was built around 1625 AD. While Taramati Baradari is located on the left of the Hyderabad-Gandipet road, Premamati masjid is on the right.

The mosque with intricate work has five arches and does not have minarets.
N.R. Visalatchy, director of the Telangana department of archaeology and museums, told this newspaper that work relating to preservation and conservation of the Premamati masjid and its surroundings were being taken up in phases.

“They are architectural marvels which stood the test of time. We are trying to restore them to their original shape, which is time consuming since a lot of intricate work needs to be done by skilled workers,” she said.

According to department deputy director Mohd Raheem Shah Ali, the mosque was presumably built for the courtesan and others to offer namaaz during a break from song-and-dance sessions at the Taramati Baradari.

“We have taken up restoration work at a cost of '50 lakh initially. The Premamati mosque area including the hillock is spread over 11 acres. We have renovated the roof, platform and the cellar. Some pending work will be taken up when funds are available,” Mr Shah Ali said. Said to be among the oldest mosques in the city, it was under construction when Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah died.

Some people oppose attaching the name of Premamati to the mosque, and say it should be called the Quli Qutb Shah mosque.