State Neglect Brings Mushk Mahal Closer to Collapse

 Hyderabad: Mushk Mahal, once a centre of musk trade during the Qutb Shahi era and later home to a madrasa at Attapur, is in a dilapidated condition, with walls crumbling and overgrown vegetation.

In the past, bowls of Musk fragrance had been hung in the palace to create a pleasant atmosphere. But now, it wears a haunted palace look due to years of neglect and lack of maintenance. In addition, the palace is facing a land encroachment threat.

The two-storied palace was constructed by Miyan Malik Mishk, a commander of Carnatic forces of Abul Hassan Tana Shah, the last of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, in a six acre site to the south of Musi river in 1678.

It had a grand three-storied garden pavilion with waterways and gardens spread over a 10-acre area from where one could see the Golconda fort on one side, Musi river on another and the emblematic Charminar from another.

Further, the palace has iconic octagonal balconies, which were found in other Qutb Shahi palaces like the Gosha Mahal Baradari, the Dad Mahal in Golconda and Ibrahim's Palace in Kondapalli.

Despite its historical importance, the palace has been left to ruin, with some locals stating that the heritage structure was in good condition when it functioned as a Madrasa.

“The building had been in a good condition about four decades ago. Now, it is in a bad state, with vegetation growing around it and cracks appearing in the walls,” said Abdul Hafeez, a local resident.

Heritage activists and historians repeated pleas to officials concerned to take up restoration and protection elicited no response.

History enthusiast Dheeraj Vanarasa said Miyan Mishk who was a military officer and administrator during Qutb Shahi time, had Attapur and its surroundings as his jagir.

He said Mishk was a military slave from Ethiopia, who later became governor for Rayalaseema, south Karnataka and parts of northeastern Tamil Nadu.

Historian Fatima Husna said Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah laid the foundation of Hyderabad in 1591 with a clear vision for the new city. His instructions to Mir Momin, the architect and prime minister, were that the city had to be a “replica of heaven itself.”

In the traditional imagination shaped by scriptures, Husna said heaven is associated with beautiful gardens filled with extraordinary fruits and calming scents. She said the idea of mushk, a fragrant mahal, is a classic feature of Qutb Shahi architecture.