Qutub Shahi Heritage Park

The Qutb Shahi dynasty

Established by Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk in AD 1518, the The Qutb Shahi dynasty ruled for 169 years from Golconda; while its adjoining area, now known as the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, served as a necropolis to the dynasty, which came to an end in AD 1687.

Conservation & Landscape Restoration

India is fortunate as building craft traditions have been passed down generations. Craftsmen take great pride in replicating or even excelling the work of their forefathers, using tools and techniques depicted in paintings, contemporary to the buildings worked upon at Qutb Shahi Heritage Park.

Environment Development

The landscape masterplan prepared for the necropolis at the onset of the project in 2012, envisaged an ecological buffer zone to the north, south and west of the site. Here, 15000 trees are to be planted of native species, providing Hyderabad with a significant green space.

Qutb Shahi Baolis

Along with each grand mausoleum and its garden setting, a baoli or stepwell was built to hold water required for construction and horticulture. Archival records reveal that the 106-acre ensemble had at least eight such stepwells. Six stepwells were discovered, desilted, reconstructed, and the earth levels re-graded. across over 100 acres to allow rainwater to collect in these conserved step wells that now can collect 21 million litres of rainwater annually – required for irrigating the 10000 + trees now planted here.

Honouring the Past: Skilled Hands, Timeless Techniques

Traditional craftsmen have played an integral part in the conservation approach at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, and from the onset, the project has followed a ‘craft-based approach’. The project has included a significant training component aimed at making craftsmanship sustainable.

Qutb Shahi Heritage Park: A Journey Through Centuries of History

The Qutb Shahi Heritage Park's transformation through conservation and landscape restoration has made it a vibrant cultural destination. The necropolis is not only a historical treasure but also a flourishing urban space for Hyderabad's residents and visitors alike. Explore the Qutb Shahi legacy, learn from the past, and enjoy a leisurely escape in this beautifully restored heritage site.

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Monuments being Conserved
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Million Litres of Water
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Acres of ecological buffer
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Tress mapped
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Visitors in 2023

ABOUT

Qutb Shahi Heritage Park

The Qutb Shahi Heritage Park was the necropolis of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, rulers of Golconda. Today, spanning106 acres, it contains over 100 individual monuments built over 169 years of Qutb Shahi rule. These include grand and small mausoleums, stepwells used for irrigation, more than 165 graves set amidst funerary mosques, an Idgah, a hammam, garden enclosures, and various archaeological remains.

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Creating green spaces in urban areas constitutes a significant improvement in the quality of the environment and people's living conditions. They are leisure spaces and meeting places for all ages and all social categories, encouraging different sectors of the population to mix and integrate. And they have proved to be catalysts for economic activity and a source of employment, both directly and indirectly

His Highness The Aga Khan

Chairman, Aga Khan Development Network

PROJECT

Conservation & Landscape Restoration of

Qutb Shahi Heritage Park

A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiated in 2013 is transforming the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) signed an MoU with the Department of Heritage Telangana (DHT) and Quli Qutb Shahi Urban Development Authority (QQSUDA) to undertake conservation works on all monuments along with holistic landscape development of the 106-acre Qutb Shahi Heritage Park. In undertaking this ambitious project, the interdisciplinary team from Aga Khan Trust for Culture aims to establish a model for conservation of archaeological sites in the Deccan and further a far.

AKTC’S ROLE ABOUT

Aga Khan Trust for Culture

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ABOUT

Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) is a non-denominational, philanthropic foundation that is an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network. Established in 1988 in Geneva, Switzerland, the AKTC promotes debate about the built environment, cultural heritage, and the importance of historic memory. Through a variety of initiatives and projects, the AKTC seeks to provide exemplars and solutions for contemporary design challenges, support the revitalization of communities, promote music and musical education, and foster connections between cultures through the arts.
The AKTC also aims to increase understanding of the diverse cultures of the world and demonstrate the positive impact that cultural expression can have on development. By leveraging the power of culture, the AKTC works to improve the socio-economic conditions of communities around the world.

STORY

Conservation Story

The conservation process at Qutb Shahi Heritage Park prioritizes research, traditional methods, and the revival of historic crafts. Led by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, an interdisciplinary team works with skilled craftspeople using time-honored techniques to restore the grandeur of this historic necropolis.

Qutb Shahi Ensemble

Encompassing 106 acres, the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park is the final resting place of the Qutb Shahi rulers. Over 100 monuments stand as a testament to the artistic and architectural mastery of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Grand mausoleums, intricate mosques, and stepwells amongst others – each structure reflects the peak of their 169-year reign.

This tentative World Heritage Site is amongst the most significant historic medieval necropolises anywhere in the world. No other archaeological ensemble in the Deccani kingdoms includes as many monuments of striking grandeur and complexity.