Unesco urged to award Hyderabad tombs world heritage status: 16-06-2008
A request has been sent to Unesco by Andhra Pradesh Archaeology and Museums Department urging it to recognise the Qutb Shahi tombs in Hyderabad as a World Heritage Site.
Unesco rejected a previous proposal, made by the state government in 2003, which included the Golconda fort.
Unesco guidelines say there should be no encroachments within 200 metres of a site but the Golconda fort has several structures in close vicinity and so failed to satisfy the principles.
Director of Archaeology and Museums, P. Chenna Reddy says the tombs include the resting place of several kings, their relatives and associates and are considered the embodiment of the local culture.
"They remind us of their lofty ideals and the harmony that existed among various sections of the people during their times," he said.
"It is unfortunate that though Andhra Pradesh has a rich culture, we don’t have any monument having the status of a heritage structure."
The tombs were built between 1518 and 1687 by the Qutb Shahi dynasty, rulers of southern parts of India for around 170 years.
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