Hyderabad: The historic Bagh-e-Aam gate, built in 1846 by Nizam VII, Mir Osman Ali Khan, is undergoing some much needed restoration. The majestic gate is the entrance to the Bagh-e-Aam Public Gardens built by the Nizam, and is one of the most attractive structures in Hyderabad city.
The 40 ft high 171-year-old-gate was in a dilapidated condition and is now being restored by the Telangana Department of Archaeology and Museums on the request of the Horticulture Department.
There is also another ancient gate near the Telugu University, which was damaged in the 1980s, but it was reconstructed using cement. About a dozen workers are giving finishing touches to the gate, which is made of lime mortar, bricks and other materials used in construction at that time, and it will be ready in about 10 days’ time.
The original Bagh-e-Aam has paved way for several structures in the sprawling garden, The Bagh-e-Aam garden contains several structures, including the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council buildings, the State Museum, Bal Bhavan, Health Museum, Protocol Bhavan, and Lalitha Kala Thoranam auditorium.
Mohammed Raheem Shah Ali, deputy director of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, told DC that though the historic gate is under the Department of Horticulture, the department of archaeology is carrying out the restoration because it has the expertise to do so.
"It is one of the historical gates still intact. The restoration work will cost Rs 15 lakh. It began six months ago and is nearing completion," Mr Ali said. Expert in restoration of old lime mortar structures, Dasa Ravinder, who has been contracted to carry out the restoration, says that lime mortar constructions are stronger than cement ones.
"If proper ingredients are used, it will remain intact for 200 years. We use lime mortar, sand, jute, karkai, jaggery etc. It takes at least two months to prepare the ingredients," he explained.
Proposals have been submitted for renovation of the Old Assembly Buildings, and Jubilee Hall building. Restoration work on another old structure, City College, is ongoing and will cost Rs 1 crore.
