The 400-year-old Gulzar Houz in Hyderabad has been rebuilt and opened to the public. The restoration project, costing Rs 29.5 lakh, aimed to preserve the city’s cultural heritage. However, some heritage enthusiasts have raised concerns about the reconstruction, which used modern tiles instead of the original structure. The renovation was carried out by Deccan Terrain, who completely remodeled the historic monument.
Anuradha Reddy, the convenor of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), expressed her astonishment at the renovation. She described the changes as radical and highlighted the use of modern materials that are not in line with the original period. Activists have criticized the restoration for not conserving the historic monument and changing its history.
The Gulzar Houz, originally constructed during the Qutub Shahi dynasty, has undergone several renovations over the years. It was last renovated in 2020 with a fresh coat of paint. In February 2022, the State government entrusted the restoration to Deccan Terrain, who completely remodeled the structure. The old concrete boundary walls were replaced with raised stones matching the architecture of the area.
In addition to the reopening of Gulzar Houz, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi laid the foundation for three new major projects in Old city. These include a multi-level parking area at Charminar Old Bus Stand, development works to beautify shop elevation at Laad Bazaar, and two pedestrian bridges on the Musi River at Nayapul. The total cost of these projects is estimated to be around Rs 190.6 crore.
