Portion of Charminar’s minaret falls off; raises concerns over ‘health’ of ageing monument

HYDERABAD: The iconic 428-year-old Charminar suffered damage, after a portion of the ornamental stucco work, from one of its four minarets, came crashing down late on Wednesday, raising fresh concerns over the structural stability of the ageing monument.
In 2018, heritage conservationists were left flustered after a huge crack developed on the north-eastern part of the monument, suspected to have resulted due to water-logging on its first-floor balcony.
“It is the stucco work from the minaret, on the south-west side of the heritage structure, that fell off. The work comprises three different designs of lotus petals, balustrades and flowers,” said V Gopal Rao, conservation assistant, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) — custodian of the listed heritage structure.
Together with the Seven Tombs and the Golconda Fort, Charminar represents the Qutub Shahi period in Hyderabad’s history that was replete with architectural brilliance.
“The structure is several centuries old and that could be a reason for its weakening exteriors,” said Rao while also hinting at the possibility of low percentage of calcium, in the lime stone being used to restore Charminar, resulting in the the recent damage. “The pure lime that was earlier used for construction of the monument is not available any more. Though we did get a high quality lime in Madhya Pradesh’s Hathni, which consisted of 76 per cent calcium, the stocks have dried up. What we are using now, is from Pidugurallu in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh and has about 67 to 72 per cent of calcium. This is the best option available” said Rao.
Following a thorough assessment of the damage, ASI will take up necessary repairs, which is expected to be completed in a month’s time.
The use of inappropriate raw material apart, heritage experts also blamed the large-scale construction and re-development activity — under way in and around Charminar — for weakening the structure. Not only is the area ridden with illegal buildings, but it also exposed to constant use of heavy machinery, courtesy the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CPP). The project is aimed at making the 220 meter radius around Charminar free of vehicular movement.
“Given the precarious condition of the monument, strict ban on use of heavy machinery for CPP or unauthorized constructions should not be imposed. This is an important monument and anything that happens within 100 meters should be first cleared by the ASI and also executed under its strict supervision,” said Sajjad Shahid, historian and convener of Centre for Deccan Studies. He added: “Conservationists can do a better job but the problem is that the ASI has skill but not enough people or budget. The government should ensure that they get better funding and have enough manpower for such projects.”