03. Archival Research
As with most ‘protected’ monuments, the structures standing within the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park as well as their landscape setting have undergone repair/ conservation/ alteration in the past. Archival research aims to understand past repairs as well as alterations to the landscape setting.
Outcome
- A sustained effort at archival research has included review of collections at the British Library, the Department of Archaeology and Museums - Hyderabad, Salarjung Museum, Archaeological Survey of India, J. Paul Getty Museum, MIT archives, Alkazi collection of photography, amongst others.
- Archival materials reviewed have included photographs dating from the 19th century onwards, earlier painting, etchings and lithographs, manuscripts, publications from the 19th century onwards, amongst others. • Annual reports of the Archaeological Department dating from AD 1914 have been collected.
- Over 500 archival photographs with the earliest dating from 1860’s have now been sourced.
Impact
- Archival material, especially photographs and traveller descriptions have helped establish the major changes that occurred on the site in the 19th and 20th centuries. On several occasions archival photographs have revealed details of the stucco plasterwork tht have since been lost or altered with cement plaster thus allowing restoration of the original design intention.
04. Monument Files
To ease conservation decision making as well as maintain a careful record of conservation and landscape works, a ‘file’ for each individual structure standing within the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park has been developed.
Outcome
- Architectural drawings, condition assessment drawings, archival photographs or details thereof, photographs of present condition were first compiled together.
- As conservation works on structures have commenced, record and rationale of decisions have also been inserted in the said files.
Impact
- Just as Human Resource departments maintain individual files on all personnel; this practice has been introduced on an experimental basis to establish best practice. It will provide a valuable record for posterity.