Hyderabad: Every time it rains, a bit of heritage bites the dust in Badshahi Ashoorkhana. The recent downpour has taken further toll on the already dilapidated Naqar Khana (drum house) on the eastern side of the Ashoorkhana. A precariously dangling beam fell along with chunk of rubble the other day.
Protected only in name, this hoary monument built by the city founder, Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah, in 1594 is at the mercy of the vagaries of nature. With Muharram, the Shia month of mourning hardly a fortnight away, the Ashoorkhana caretaker, Mir Abbas Ali Moosvi, is a worried man.
The Badshahi Ashoorkhana sees a lot of footfalls during Muharram beginning September 1 and the pending repair works is a matter of concern. The run down Naqar Khana is the place from where the traditional ‘naubat’ used to be played. But ever since its roof collapsed in 2007, the structure remains out of bounds. In spite of the clear orders of the High Court, the Archaeology and Museum Department is yet to carry out repairs. Meanwhile, a tree sprouted on the first floor has further widened the gaping hole in the roof.
This is not all. The collapsed Langar Khana and the Abadar Khana on the northern side meant for distributing ‘tabbaruk’ and providing drinking water to devotees thronging the Ashoorkhana, remain in disuse as the authorities have not rebuilt the structures. Repairs done to the Niyaz Khana, mini Ashoorkhana and two sarais in 2012 are showing signs of wear and tear as well.
Even the painting on the marble plaque at the entrance has disappeared. Tourists visiting the monument have difficulty reading the information engraved on it. The threat of intrusion also remains as the monument has not been fully secured with fencing after eviction of the encroachers from the Ashoorkhana premises.
Interestingly, there is no regular grant for this ancient edifice which attracts tourists and pilgrims alike.
The Telangana state government has signed an MoU with the Agha Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) for repair and restoration of the damaged enamel tile work inside the main Ashoorkhana. Along with it the AKTC is also expected to take up restoration works of the Naqar Khana.
But that's a long drawn-out process. If the monsoon gets vigorous there will be nothing left to repair.
