Although the discovery of three arches in the old city, believed to be of the Qutub Shahi-era, had generated considerable excitement on Sunday, the demolition of the structure housing it on Monday has thwarted any further exploration into the site.
Excavation activity at the old police quarters in Chellapura had attracted attention on Sunday following the discovery of three medieval-looking arches in the cellar. Word soon spread of the find and rumours of a long-lost tunnel from Charminar to Golconda gained currency. Some even spoke of a treasure.
Experts from both Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Telangana State Department of Archaeology and Museums (TSDAM) mentioned a structure from the Qutub Shahi era, possibly a serai (rest house), which is not uncommon given the area’s proximity to Charminar.
Metro Rail job
However, the demolition, commissioned by the Police Department and being carried out by the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL), put paid to all curiosity. By Monday morning, excavators had demolished the arches and caused them to cave in without a trace.
“If there are any standing structures or even ruins, they can be examined to identify the era. But now it is difficult to say,” said noted expert on Islamic architecture M.A. Qaiyoom. While Mr. Qaiyoom could venture close to the site of activity, archaeologists from TSDAM and ASI were not so lucky.
“We were denied entry without the permission of the Commissioner of police,” said archaeologist Gopal Rao, in-charge of ASI’s Charminar Circle. The media too were denied entry in the morning, but later let in after instructions from the Commissioner.
‘Why couldn’t they wait?’
Heritage activist M. Ved Kumar, who also visited the site, sought to know why the Police Department could not have waited a few days so as to let archaeologists examine the site.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Mahender Reddy said the structure had been examined by archaeologists and found to be a two-room structure built in recent times.
Making way for barracks
A new police barracks is to be constructed at the site. Senior police officials confirmed that HMRL is executing the work in exchange for the acquisition of police property for the rail project elsewhere in the city.
