The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Qutub Shahi Khazana gets its due

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Thursday, Jun 19, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Qutub Shahi Khazana gets its due

Plans to display photos and a wide range of warfare equipment

An entire collection of armaments is languishing in Golconda Fort
An exclusive gallery of photographs clicked by Raja Deen Dayal proposed

HYDERABAD: After remaining steeped in apathy for long, redemption finally seems to be round the corner for Khazana Building, once a treasure trove of Quli Qutub Shahi rulers in the vicinities of Golconda Fort. The plans to develop a photo museum and armament museum, housing a wide range of warfare equipment are to fructify soon.

Budget released

Necessary budget for the project has been released and tenders for the work to be taken up with a budget of around Rs.1.13 crore are to be called in a month’s time. “The initiative will be in place at the earliest and it will be developed as a must-watch spot with all the allure of our heritage,” says P. Chenna Reddy, Director, Archaeology and Museums.

The State Photo Museum here will house an exclusive gallery of photographs clicked by Raja Deen Dayal, the court photographer of the Nizam and whose collection has some of the most memorable moments related to city and the erstwhile rulers, frozen in time.

Apart from this photo gallery, Khazana Building will also locate a museum of the arms and weapons spanning different periods.

More acquisitions

Presently, an entire collection is languishing in the premises but in the absence of efforts to conserve, the same hardly draws any visitors to cast an eye of appreciation. “Apart from present collection of armaments, we are planning to acquire more from different sources and once the building is ready, will put on display,” informs Prof. Reddy.

Pre-historic material sieved from archaeological sites to some modern day armaments are to go for display here.

“We are approaching the Armed Forces and also different defence research institutions to bring in a collection of modern day weapons,” he says. The Khazana Building in its present state is in shambles and conservation efforts are required to restore the past glory of the structure.

Photo museum

The Department plans to spend a considerable chunk of the budget towards restoration before the photo museum and also revival of the armaments collection turns into a major attraction close to historical Golconda Fort.

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