Dargah Shah Raju dome restored

Misrigunj: Following the completion of repair and restoration works of the dome of 350-years-old Tomb of Dargah-e-Hazrath Shah Raju Qattal Hussaini, the State Archeological department will begin the second phase of works within next week, which involves flooring, repair of pillars and its surrounding areas.

The archeological department has given a representation to Ajay Mishra, Special Chief Secretary, Minority Welfare, about the works taken up for the tomb ornamental works, decorative, monument, restores, conservation, land scaping, environs etc. It requested for the more funds of about Rs 50 lakh.

Facelift of one of the biggest tombs of Old City, built by Abul Hasan Tanasha, the last ruler of the Qutubshahi dynasty, is near its completion. "The works of the beautification of dome were completed aroundtwo2 months ago. The preparations of the second phase works were started and works will be taken up soon and will be completed within two months," said Syed Shah Nadeemullah Hussaini, the 10th generation descendant and custodian of the dargah. Speaking to The Hans India, Nadeemullah Hussaini said that the second phase of the repair works includes the flooring of the ground floor and first floor, pillars and its surrounding areas. For its repair and beautification, the government sanctioned the amount of Rs 50 lakh and Rs 40 lakh were released.

The dome of the tomb is 164ft high, supported by 110 pillars made of single stone, with each of them 25ft in height. As it is one of the oldest and the biggest tombs in city, the custodian has requested the State government to recognise it as important tourist spot, as devotees from all religions visit and attend Urs (anniversary).

Nadeemullah said that during 1995 the chunks of a major portion of the tomb fell down and several representations were given by the 9th custodian of Dargah, Late Syed Shah Hussaini to the government and the works of the inside Tomb repair were taken up by the officials and was completed by 2010 by Quli Qutub Shah Urban Development Authority (QQSUDA).

He said that following the repair work inside of the tomb, it was observed that even the chunks of outer portion started falling. For the outer side the representation was given to Chief Minister through Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi on September 20, 2016 and the Government sanctioned the amount of Rs 50 Lakhs on October 4, 2016 and the works of restoration were handed over to the Telangana State Archeological Department.

History of dargah

Syed Shah Yousuf Mohammed ul Hussain, and famously known as Syed Shah Raju Qattal was born in year 1593 and died on 1681 (born on 1002 Hijri and died on 1092 Hijri according to Islamic calendar). The tomb was built by Abul Hasan Tanasha, the last ruler of the Qutubshahi dynasty, in the memory of his mentor Shah Raju who had foretold Tanashah's elevation to the throne.

As it is one of the oldest dargahs and the biggest tomb in old city, authorities decided to complete the works as early as possible. The last repairs on the dargah were carried out in 2010, before it received the INTACH heritage award. "By the support of TS Wakf board and TS Archeological Department the restoration works will be completed soon, and the Director of TS Archeological Department is holding inspection of the works," Nadeemullah Hussaini added.