HYDERABAD: The tomb of Hayat Bakshi Begum in the Qutub Shahi necropolis may have got a new lease of life thanks to its restoration recently but eight steps leading to the grand mausoleum are now missing.
The tomb of Hayat Bakshi Begum, one of the few royal women to don the role of princess, queen and queen mother, originally had 15 steps leading to it from the front side. After restoration, only seven are left.
The construction of the steps has a historical connotation. Former deputy director of archaeology, MA Qayoom, told TOI that the mausoleum originally had a short staircase with high steps. As Hayat Bakshi grew old and could not take the high steps, they were replaced with a long staircase with low-level steps.
The mausoleum was built during queen mother’s lifetime and she would often visit the place to oversee construction of a mosque adjacent to it.
The platform also gave her a vantage point to see the Charminar and the tombs of her father Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah V — who founded Hyderabad and built Charminar — and her husband, Sultan Mohammad Qutub Shah VI — who began construction of Mecca Masjid.
“By reducing the steps, we will be foregoing an important event in the life of the royal who protected Hyderabad during the first siege of Golconda in 1656,” Qayoom said.
