The scrapping of modern cement layers had revealed distinct patterns on the parapet, minarets, petals on the neck of the dome, arch bands, medallions in the spandrels of the arch, bands below the parapet and remnants of a moulding with bird holes.

OUTCOME:

• The missing portions of the details on the domes of the minarets on all the sides were restored to the pattern – vertical bands on the east and west, horizontal bands on the north and south and the corners has spiral bands -as per the existing evidence seen on respective minarets.
• The details on the shaft of the minarets were recreated based on the in-situ evidence and the archival images. It was determined that the 16th century builders used similar pattern on the north – south minarets, east – west minarets and the corner minarets.
• The petals on the base of the dome revealed distinct impressions of stucco work and since the impressions themselves were considered to be of value only on 9 of the 48 ‘petals’ was the stucco motif restored.
• The parapet battlements on all the four sides were restored with patterns that had survived on the complete eastern corner of the south facade and in portions on the western facade. It was concluded that for each cluster of three battlements and an additional half battlement on the corners of the cluster patterns were symmetrical along a central line.
• The ornate band and mouldings below the battlements were recreated based on the archival image.
• The bird holes which form important feature of this monument, but also were reasons for water ingress to the building due to damaged mortar, have been grouted, repaired and restored as original ensuring no further internal damage to the structure.
• The facade on all the four sides was restored with highly ornate bands V-shaped bands, medallions in the spandrels of the arches, arch crowns and arch bands based on visible patterns, impressions that could be discerned and archival images.
• Over 1500 man-days of work by master craftsmen was required to restore the lime stucco ornamentation on the external facade.
• Appropriate wooden doors have been fixed to the arcaded openings.

As with most structures in the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, the plinth was provided only with a layer of cement concrete – allowing water ingress and growth of vegetation and thus catalysing deterioration. Several gravestones stand on the plinth and in many of these stones had dislocated from their original position.

OUTCOME:

• 15 cm thick layer including the top cement concrete was removed from the plinth surface and replaced with a traditional lime concrete base.
• 30 mm thick granite stone slabs were laid atop the lime concrete in lime mortar to provide a water-tight permanent surface. This would also not be susceptible to wear and tear with high numbers of visitors.
• The graves were cleaned of the cement mortar and the dislocated stones were carefully reinstalled with lime mortar.

NEXT STEPS:

• As with the facade, a similar dismantling of cement layers from the internal surface has revealed the original layer of lime mortar. Several details and mouldings which were covered up have been revealed. However, many of the ornate stucco works have been damaged and only outer impression are existing. A thorough study of the lime plaster composition and the details needs to be done prior to commencing conservation works.
• The internal cement flooring is also to be replaced with granite slabs.
• The conservation of the garden enclosure wall followed by ensuring portions can be visible to the public by sensitively lowering ground levels during landscape works.

IMPACT:

• The revelation of 16th century patterns during the conservation effort allowed an opportunity to restore the architectural elements as per the intention of the original builders and in turn has restored the authenticity of material, form and design of this tomb of the founder of the Qutb Shahi dynasty.
• The exposed enclosure while confirming the existence of tomb garden have also established the development of the complex and have significantly impacted the proposed landscape.

As with most structures in the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, the plinth was provided only with a layer of cement concrete – allowing water ingress and growth of vegetation and thus catalysing deterioration. Several gravestones stand on the plinth and in many of these stones had dislocated from their original position.

OUTCOME:

• 15 cm thick layer including the top cement concrete was removed from the plinth surface and replaced with a traditional lime concrete base.
• 30 mm thick granite stone slabs were laid atop the lime concrete in lime mortar to provide a water-tight permanent surface. This would also not be susceptible to wear and tear with high numbers of visitors.
• The graves were cleaned of the cement mortar and the dislocated stones were carefully reinstalled with lime mortar.

NEXT STEPS:

• As with the facade, a similar dismantling of cement layers from the internal surface has revealed the original layer of lime mortar. Several details and mouldings which were covered up have been revealed. However, many of the ornate stucco works have been damaged and only outer impression are existing. A thorough study of the lime plaster composition and the details needs to be done prior to commencing conservation works.
• The internal cement flooring is also to be replaced with granite slabs.
• The conservation of the garden enclosure wall followed by ensuring portions can be visible to the public by sensitively lowering ground levels during landscape works.

IMPACT:

• The revelation of 16th century patterns during the conservation effort allowed an opportunity to restore the architectural elements as per the intention of the original builders and in turn has restored the authenticity of material, form and design of this tomb of the founder of the Qutb Shahi dynasty.
• The exposed enclosure while confirming the existence of tomb garden have also established the development of the complex and have significantly impacted the proposed landscape.

Following the arcade visible to the west of the Tomb of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, trial excavation pits were made in 2014 revealing the existence of an ashlar masonry wall with the Tomb of Sultan Quli sitting at the centre of the enclosure, establishing the existence of an enclosed tomb garden with the ashlar masonry going as deep as 2.8 meters along the southern side.

OUTCOME:

• In 2015, extensive manual excavations were carried out to reveal the entire length of the enclosure wall – over 560 m - exposing upto 1.5 meters depth of the wall.
• The entire south and south – west side of the enclosure wall was revealed upto  theBaoli to the west of the tomb of Jamshed Quli.
• Excavations on the west side of the enclosure revealed the missing portions of the wall which had signs of existence of the ashlar wall.
• On the north side of the enclosure, stones wall was damaged and many of the stones were missing from the wall.
• The excavations revealed the profile of the wall – ashlar masonry wall with coping stones on top and a masonry arcade standing above it.

Following the arcade visible to the west of the Tomb of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, trial excavation pits were made in 2014 revealing the existence of an ashlar masonry wall with the Tomb of Sultan Quli sitting at the centre of the enclosure, establishing the existence of an enclosed tomb garden with the ashlar masonry going as deep as 2.8 meters along the southern side.

OUTCOME:

• In 2015, extensive manual excavations were carried out to reveal the entire length of the enclosure wall – over 560 m - exposing upto 1.5 meters depth of the wall.
• The entire south and south – west side of the enclosure wall was revealed upto  theBaoli to the west of the tomb of Jamshed Quli.
• Excavations on the west side of the enclosure revealed the missing portions of the wall which had signs of existence of the ashlar wall.
• On the north side of the enclosure, stones wall was damaged and many of the stones were missing from the wall.
• The excavations revealed the profile of the wall – ashlar masonry wall with coping stones on top and a masonry arcade standing above it.