By 2013, parts of the baolis (ancient stepwells) inside Hyderabad’s centuries-old Qutb Shahi tomb complex had collapsed. Rubble had collected. Granite stone blocks were missing. The park itself, a vast and wondrous necropolis, containing the tombs of the Golconda kings, lay dilapidated and ignored. But last month, 10 years after restoration commenced here, it was recognised with a UNESCO award of distinction.
“It was just like any other neglected monument—over a period of time, they get lost to encroachments, demolition, destruction,” says Arvind Kumar, special chief secretary of Telangana’s urban development department. “Yes, it’s a slow journey [of restoration], but a very meaningful one, and we feel very proud of the way it is coming up now.”
Work began in 2013, following a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government,…