Most photographs of the Taj Mahal taken before 2003 show the Yamuna river flowing close to the rear foundation of the edifice, its water in fact lapping the rear wall. But now a park developed by the Archaeological Survey of India, no doubt to beautify the area around it, has distanced the Yamuna by a good 100 hundred yards from the world-famous marble maosoleum. This could prove dangerous for the foundation of the 17th century monument of love, which could tilt or sink, author and eminent historian of the Mughal period R. Nath has warned. The health of Taj’s foundation is dependent on the Yamuna, which should flow full and touch the rear part of the mammoth structure.

Read More: A Park That Threatens Taj Mahal’s Safety?

A 16th century enclosure wall was recently discovered at the Qutub Shahi Heritage Park. Retired director of ASI, K.K. Mohammed, who is now part of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) that is restoring the heritage site, said, “The 243-metre long enclosure was built much before the tomb complex.” The wall is up to nine feet below the current ground level at the heritage park. AKTC said that the wall would be restored and landscaping would be done.

Read More: 16th Century Wall Found at Qutub Shahi in Hyderabad

The Telangana government has sent a proposal of Rs.85 crore to the central government for restoration works at Qutub Shahi tombs, the final abode of Qutub Shahi rulers at Golconda here. The state government proposes to develop landscaped gardens, site museum and illumination of the monuments spread over 104 acre royal necropolis. Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, B.P. Acharya, told reporters on Tuesday that the proposal was sent following an announcement made in the union budget for 2015-16.

Read More: Telangana Proposes Garden, Museum at Qutub Shahi Tombs

The work on restoration of 30 of the 72 monuments at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park  in the old city here will be completed next year. And, the entire project is expected to take 10 years for completion. With 72 monuments spread over 108 acres, the 400-year-old Qutb Shahi Heritage Park or ‘Seven Tombs’ is a unique necropolis comprising gardens, mosques, wells, etc that have been devoid of its due share of respect. Experts associated with the  ongoing conservation of the heritage monuments believe that the site will transform into a major international heritage attraction after completion of the restoration work.

Read More: Qutb Shahi Monuments to be Restored

Delhi’s history is often spoken of in terms of its seven cities. These were fortified settlements, established by various rulers between the 11th and 17th centuries, now swallowed by the sprawling city of today. The sixth Delhi is the Purana Qila, or Old Fort, a 16th-century stone fort near the eastern edge of the city, and a particularly good place from which to tell the story of Delhi’s urban development. There are monuments in Delhi older than the Qila – and there are certainly more impressive ones. But it’s unlikely there exists another place in the city where history runs as deep.

Read More: Delhi’s 16th-century Purana Qila Fort

Delhi’s first site museum for a world heritage monument promises to be nothing less than a world class experience. Designed on lines similar to the Aga Khan Museum, inaugurated in Toronto days ago, it, too, will sport naturally-illuminated galleries set amid a Mughal-inspired landscape. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture-which is constructing the museum on behalf of Archaeological Survey of India-has roped in Vir Mueller Architects to design the museum. Shaheer Associates will be creating the landscape.

Read More: Humayun’s Tomb Set to Get Site Museum

“Heritage conservation is important to have a sense of memory and history. It is not just a question of your taste or aesthetics,” says Tasneem Mehta, Honorary Director of the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, to an eager audience. It is full-house, like at a stand-up comedy night, at the Education Centre in the backyard of the Museum. Curators, architects and conservation enthusiasts are part of the crowd for a panel discussion on heritage restoration put together by Asia Society India and the Museum. The venue, with its beige walls and chocolaty brown rafters, once used to be a dingy storehouse for the Museum, we are told. Saved from demolishment, a common end for many old structures in the city, it is now as up-market looking as a Bandra cafe with an old-world charm.

Read More: Private Meets Public for Heritage Conservation

Twenty-eight centrally-protected monuments in Humayun’s Tomb world heritage site and the crowded Nizamuddin area could serve as case studies for framing heritage bylaws nationwide. Struggling with the task of making bylaws for all 3,600-plus ASI-protected monuments, National Monuments Authority has turned to organizations which are already well-versed in heritage of specific areas. Aga Khan Trust for Culture has been approached regarding all protected buildings in Nizamuddin area.

Read More: Humayun’s Tomb Model for Heritage Rules

Patience and perseverance are the virtues of an experienced conservationist. More so when the task at hand is a complex exercise to transform a dilapidated Mughal-era monument into an illuminating contemporary architectural delight. Towards this year’s end, heritage lovers will be in for a grand treat when the decade-long conservation work would be completed at the historic Neela Gumbad, a part of the sprawling Humayun’s Tomb complex. In all probability, this octagonal structure would become the Capital’s pride of place and even end up bagging the coveted world heritage site title.

Read More: Tile by Tile

Restoration work at the Qutub Shahi Tombs by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture has led to the surprise discovery of the signs of an old gate within the complex from where the burial processions from the Golconda Fort entered the tombs complex for the final ceremony of the departed royal. Initial excavation on the southern side of Sultan Ibrahim Qutub Shah tomb has thrown up a pathway with remnants of walls on either side leading to the compound wall of the complex where the gate might have existed in the past. Enquiries with locals revealed that the gate was called Murda Darwaza or Murda Gate. There are signs of a well and an area nearby where the bodies were bathed. The gate was located in alignment with the southern side of Ibrahim Qutb Shah tomb.

Read More: New Link Between Qutub Shahi and Golconda Fort Discovered

With the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture criticising the Ministry of Culture for failing to renovate the iconic monument where the Prime Minister unfurls the National Tricolour on Independence Day, the Archaeological Survey of India has decided to make efforts to renovate the Red Fort in such a manner that the earlier grandeur of the Mughal-era is revived.

Read More: Government to Restore Red Fort’s Grandeur

Delhi’s glorious heritage is fast getting eroded because of rampant despoliation, encroachment, urbanisation and neglect. Nawab Dojana’s haveli, known as Dojana House in Matia Mahal is now a flatted building which is already showing signs of deterioration. Haveli Sadr Sadur, bang opposite it, has been so encroached upon and rebuilt in parts that it is hard to recognise it. The haveli of Nawab Buddan, said to be a great fashion trendsetter, could not be traced perhaps because of alterations. The old hamam in the same street, which had become a shop, is also not easily recognisable. The building behind Jama Masjid associated with Dara Shikoh has become a school.

Read More: Vanishing Slab by Slab

The Qutb Shahi Tombs complex is an island of quiet off the Old Bombay Highway. As we walk inside the complex after crossing the Abdullah Qutb Shah’s tomb, there is a cackle of laughter as children frolic, couples have their moment of togetherness and tourists walk talking noisily with each other. A little ahead, a few guys decide to have some imli (tamarind). They throw stones at the big tamarind tree that is laden with the fruit on the edge of the baoli. It all looks like a picnic is in progress.

Read More: Restoring the Fount of Life

See also: Jamshed Quli’s Tomb Set to Regain Lost Lustre