ASI assesses damage to 16th-century monument after plaster falls from north-east minaret; no casualties reported
Heavy rains in Hyderabad on Thursday led to pieces of mortar falling from the north-east minaret of the historic 16th-century Charminar monument, raising concerns about its preservation. Visuals showed a portion of the iconic structure chipping off during the sudden downpour.
A chunk of lime mortar plaster and stones fell from the second-floor wall of the monument.
In response, officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Hyderabad are assessing the damage to the Charminar.
“It is fortunate that no one was below the minaret at that time,” said Mir Zulfiqar Ali, the MLA from the Charminar constituency. “ASI officials have told me that the minaret is not under threat and that they will start repairs as soon as possible.”
Officials downplayed the incident, stating that the damage did not pose a danger to pedestrians or visitors. They noted that the fragment of stucco that fell was less than one meter in size and part of old stucco. “A fragment of the stucco that is less than one metre fell on top of the sheet of the temple. It was part of old stucco. Luckily, the stone portion was not damaged. We were planning to take up conservation work but this happened due to the sudden heavy rain,” an official of the ASI stated.
This is not the first time that parts of the Charminar have fallen due to natural wear and tear. In 2019, a portion of lime plaster from the southwest minaret, measuring approximately 2.5 meters by 0.8 meters and featuring floral designs, detached and fell to the ground. The 434-year-old monument has also seen other structural damages over the years.
The Charminar, constructed in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, serves as the foundation of Hyderabad. It was built when the founder decided to shift the capital from the Golconda fort. The monument has seen several restoration efforts over the centuries, with the last major one carried out in 1924 under the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, who redid the plaster of limestone mortar.
The heavy rain on Thursday afternoon led to waterlogging across several areas of Hyderabad. Reports indicate that low-lying areas were flooded, including Banjara Hills Road No. 10, Krishna Nagar, and Hakeempet. In Dabeepura, rainwater entered the premises of Bibi Ka Alawa, and in the Maula Ka Chilla area of Yakutpura, drain water overflowed onto the road.
Local civic authorities have been asked to take necessary relief measures and ensure people do not face hardship due to the rain. Energy Department authorities were instructed to resolve power supply problems and restore services immediately. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning that rains would continue until Sunday. Officials said the change in weather brought the temperature down by around 4 degrees, providing some respite as the city had seen temperatures rising up to 35 degrees Celsius in recent days.
A team of experts, including engineers from the ASI, is expected to recommend a strategy for repairs. The stucco that fell was identified as a fragile decorative element atop the Charminar’s stone structure. The ASI noted that they were planning to undertake conservation work, but the heavy rain expedited the need for repairs.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
