Qutb Shahi talisman to get face-lift

By J.S.Ifthekhar

HYDERABAD, JULY 15. It was supposed to ward off magic spells, thwart evil designs and prevent adverse effects of any kind. A perfect talisman. But it couldn't keep at bay vagaries of nature and human indifference. Or was it not part of its brief?

Whatever, the Sher-e-Batil Kamaan near Gulzar Hauz has been a victim of "nazr-e-bad". Benign neglect and misplaced priorities has rendered this beautiful arch fragile and decrepit. A concerted effort is on to save this arch which itself was intended to protect others. And thereby hangs a tale.

The Sher-e-Batil Kamaan on the western side of Charminar was actually the gateway to the Qutb Shahi palace situated in the north western quadrant. Mir Momin, the then Prime Minister of the Qutb Shahi rulers, is believed to have decorated this gateway with a huge tapestry of gold. He is also stated to have got some magical chant engraved on a stone pillar right next to the kamaan. This was intended to protect the palace, which housed the royal "zenana", from witchcraft. Anyone trying to get past the arch with an evil design would be foiled in his attempts. That was the belief. The word "Sher" in Urdu means magic and thus the arch came to be known as "Sher-e-Batil Kamaan".

But notwithstanding this amulet-arch, the Mughal rulers subsequently pillaged the city, destroyed the royal palaces and auctioned them to the trading community. Today this place is full of tiny shops and houses.

There are interesting stories behind the other three arches too. Why is the Machli Kaman called so? The fish is believed to be a symbol of good luck and so the Qutb Shahi kings named it Machli Kamaan. It is another matter that their luck didn't last long.

But what is the reason in calling the eastern arch "Kali Kamaan". No apparent reason perhaps. Old-timers recall that this arch was originally called Naqar Khana-e-Shahi or the House of Royal Drums. The Charkamaan gets its name as it has four majestic arches with an octagonal cistern at the centre.

As ill-luck would have it all the four arches around Charminar have fallen on bad times. There is some effort now to renovate them, thanks to the Charminar pedestrianisation programme. The Department of Tourism has requisitioned the services of the Associated Cement Companies Ltd (ACC) to repair and restore the four arches at a cost of Rs. 12 crores. While the repair job on Charkamaan and Machli Kamaan is over, renovation work is progressing on the other two arches. By August 15 it is expected to be completed.

According to Mr. Munish Pandit, Conservation Architect of ACC, the original character of the arches is being maintained. All the arches are plagued by lot of vegetative growth, result of utter negligence. The vegetation is being removed with hand and chemical treatment given to roots. The deteriorated top screed is also being removed and waterproofing treatment given in lime mortar, 75-100 mm thick, with traditional additives.

For Charkamaan and Kali Kamaan the parapet was repaired by grouting and filling of voids in masonry, the deteriorated plaster was removed and re-plasting done with lime mortar. Besides, surface cleaning and lime wash given. In respect of Sher-e-Batil Kamaan, lime concrete is being laid on terrace with appropriate slopes, the voids are filled and missing stones being replaced wherever necessary from the point of structural integrity. For Machli Kamaan also chemical treatment and removal of vegetative growth is being done. Also the fallen cladding stones will be replaced and iron stains removed.

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