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Historic tomb complex lies in neglect

Over the years, structure has become home to illegal occupants.

Hyderabad: The historic tomb complex in SR Nagar which received an Intach Heritage Award in 2011 is now in a deplorable condition due to lack of maintenance. The surrounding areas of the tomb have also been usurped by illegal occupants. The tomb contains the mortal remains of family members of Nawab Fakhr ul Mulk Bahadur, a close associate of the Sixth Nizam of Hyderabad.

The responsibility of maintaining the monument lies with the family and the Wakf Board, a private body.

The structure is closed for public access and is guarded with thorn fencing made of iron. Flying plastic covers and torn newspaper bits welcome one into the building; the porch is filled with overgrown bushes towards the periphery and overgrown grass in the middle.

Recalling the condition of the monument, when the award was given in 2011, Anuradha Reddy, Convenor, Intach mentioned that it used to be properly maintained back then when the award was bestowed on it. Also, it is a valuable structure since it is the last example of granite construction in Modern Qutub Shahi style.

“We have given the award keeping all these facts in mind. It should be maintained properly. Even Errum Manzil, TB hospital and many other structures are under his family control,” the Intach Convenor said. Mohammed Safiullah, a heritage expert, said that Nawab Fakhr ul Mulk Bahadur was known for his affluence as he had around 400 acres of private property consisting of Errummanzil building, a private zoo, tennis court, swimming pool, shooting range, and a graveyard.

The monument is also home to illegal occupants. According to the descendants, there were five shops and three houses, which were given on rent decades back, and whose rent could be utilised for the maintenance of the building.

However, over the years, the tenants have refused to pay the rent and claimed it as their own property. Sarfaraz Hussain, one of the descendents also filed a case in the High Court in 2014 regarding the illegal occupants adjacent to the monument, but the case did not step out of legal limbo.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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