Old City Residents Demand Urgent Restoration of Decaying Monuments Near Charminar

As the monsoon season picks up pace in Hyderabad, local residents and heritage activists are sounding the alarm over the deteriorating condition of several historical monuments near Charminar and across the Old City. Activists warn that years of neglect, unchecked vegetation growth, and a lack of restoration have left these structures highly vulnerable to collapse during heavy rains, posing a serious public safety hazard.

Among the crumbling structures flagged by community members are the Julu Khana Kaman near Charminar, the Shaikh Faiz Kaman at Dabeerpura, the Alawa-e-Sartouq at Darulshifa, the Hussaini Alam AshoorKhana inside Golconda Fort, the AshoorKhana Makki Naal Sahab in Karwan, the Aliabad Serai, the Champapet Kaman, and the twin tombs of Mir Qutubuddin Niamatullahi and Shah Sharif Shahristani at Mughalpura.

Historian and heritage activist Mubashir Khan highlighted that several monuments are in an alarming state of decay. He pointed to the Hussaini Alam Ashoorkhana, constructed in 1592 during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, which is one of the oldest functional ashoorkhanas in the city. Khan noted that the plaster has extensively peeled off, exposing stones to harsh weather, and despite temporary roof repairs before Muharram, it urgently requires scientific restoration.

Residents living near these historical sites report that the threat of falling debris has become a part of daily life. Mohammed Sameer, a resident living near Machli Kaman in the Old City, recalled a dangerous incident from the previous monsoon. He stated that a chunk of plaster fell just feet away from two schoolchildren near the arch, warning that it could have been fatal if someone had been standing there a second longer.

In Karwan, resident Shabana Begum reported that water seepage and vegetation growth have severely weakened local structures, with walls and roofs making cracking sounds during heavy rains. Meanwhile, a shopkeeper near the Dabeerpura Kaman noted that portions of decorative stucco have already collapsed in recent years.

The state archaeology department stated that it only carries out repairs for monuments recognized by the state. However, Anuradha Reddy from INTACH Hyderabad urged that all historical structures must be preserved, stating that documented or not, these monuments are part of Hyderabad’s history.