Telangana: Neglect Pushes Qutb Shahi-Era Akkanna Sarai Towards Ruin

During the Qutb Shahi era, Sarais were built at several locations, including near temples and mosques, as a resting place.

The Akkanna Sarai, a square-shaped Sarai, was dedicated to Akkanna, a senior Qutb Shahi official who served from 1674 to 1686. The structure stands on large stone pillars, with the roof also made of huge stone slabs.

Though proposals for its beautification and restoration were initiated in 2023, no work has been taken up so far, which led to structural deterioration.

The heritage structure, which also houses a stepwell, needs immediate protection and restoration.
Heritage activist Md. Habeeb said during a recent visit, locals were allegedly found damaging the courtyard slab behind the Sarai and attempting to construct a new structure. He also raised concerns about the poor maintenance of notified heritage sites and demanded that the government inspect these structures and take steps to protect and restore them.

INTACH Hyderabad convener P. Anuradha Reddy said the Sarai has been neglected for a long time and needs to be properly studied before restoration is taken up, and it has to be done in a phased manner. She said public money had been spent on such structures in the past and, therefore, they are public property that must be preserved.

She said Akkanna and Madanna played an important role as ministers in the court of Abul Hasan Tanisha, the last ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty.