Maqbara work on course for early '19
Earthen pots, vegetation were spoiling Macca Masjid.
Hyderabad: Fifty per cent of the restoration works at Macca Masjid near Charminar has been completed and the work of the maqbara will be done by early next year.
The restoration project which is being carried out by the archaeological department had stated in its report that the heritage monument first required fixing of the leakages which was due to layering of cement on lime chakki.
The removal of layers was quite a time-consuming task as getting the original floor on the roof took some time.
Director of the heritage department N.R. Visalatchy explained, “There were tonnes of concrete layer that has been removed from the roof of the terrace. Steps have now been taken to fix the leakage and the monument will thus be protected.”
The department has removed more than 100 earthen pots which were found near the architectural carvings. They added weight and also led to vegetation and spoiling of the facade of the masjid.
After the scraping and removal of the foreign material they have now started using lime chakki and gacchi paste for the restoration works. The lime mix requires at least 25 days to completely mix while the gacchi paste is prepared using lime gum, aloe vera, jaggery, eggs and haldi with sand which is all ground finely. There are two contractors working on the restoration. One of the them is carrying out the repair and restoration work of the building while the other is working on the maqbara.
Mr M.A. Khadeer Siddiqui, superintendent of Macca Masjid at Charminar, said, “The works at the maqbara are being carried out by the department. They have to take the measurements of the completed works so that the pending funds can be released. This is a royal necropolis. In the restoration project costing Rs 8.48 crore. Rs 33 lakh has been given. The necropolis is under the control of H.E.H The Nizam Trust.”
A huge black granite table (sang-e-siayah) which weighs about one ton was shifted from Maqbara Akbar Jaha to the masjid. A large number of tourists visit the masjid area which is largely of stone. There is no possibility of creating a water harvesting pit in the area stated the senior department officers due to the huge stone structures around.