AP Govt to take up conservation work with Iran's assistance

Hyderabad, Feb 9 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Government with take the assistance of the Iranian Government for the conservation and restoration of the historical Qutb Shahi Tombs and gardens, the Premamati mosque and the Badeshahi Ashurkhana to regain their pristine glory.

The Qutb Shahi tombs are one of its kind in the world as it contains the tombs of kings of many dynasties.

The Iranian delegation led by the Consul General of Iran, Hossein Ravesh, called on Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and showed interest in the project and assured total support from his State Government.

The Indian Government has agreed to include the Qutb Shahi Tombs in the preliminary listing for World Heritage Status. The three monuments were designed by Iranian engineers more than 400 years ago during the Qutb Shahi dynasty.

A five-member delegation of experts is in the city to help conserve the monuments and design the Qutb Shahi Gardens which are spread over 100 acre of land and to repair the tile work of the Badeshahi Ashurkhana.

The Iranian delegation consists of Dr Khoshnawisi, Director, Institute for Research of Monuments, Mr Jalali - Garden Expert, Mr Parhizgari, Director General of Owej Construction Company, Mr Hasan Rahsaz, expert on stones and carvings and Mr Hasan Agajani, expert on tiles and historical monuments.

The team would work in coordination with the Director of Archaeology and Museums for five days and prepare a project report which should be routed through the Chief Minister to the Indian Government for clearance. As it is an Indo-Iranian project involving a foreign country, it needs the approval of the Department of Culture and the Ministry of External Affairs.

A Central Financial Assistance of Rs eight crore has been sought from the Central Government to restore these monuments and the Indian Government has agreed in principle.

UNI