Inside the restoration of a 113-year-old Nizam-era landmark in Hyderabad
Lipi Bharadwaj | https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/inside-the-restoration-of-a-113-year-old-nizam-era-landmark-in-hyderabad/
Media Source: Architectural Digest
Date: 27 April 2026
In 2008, the incompatible later additions to the Mahbubia Town Hall in Hyderabad, excessive water ingress, and lack of maintenance had made it vulnerable and unfit for use. However, restoration by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which started in la
In 2008, the incompatible later additions to the Mahbubia Town Hall in Hyderabad, excessive water ingress, and lack of maintenance had made it vulnerable and unfit for use. However, restoration by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which started in late 2024 and finished in 2026, has resurrected the landmark to its former glory. “A craft-based approach was adopted with a focus on utilising traditional materials and techniques and engaging master craftspeople,” notes Ratish Nanda of AKTC, adding that conservation had given the building a new lease of life. The existing structure faced a gamut of issues: missing or damaged elements such as the urns on the parapet, scraping of 20th century cement plaster repairs, and restoration of stucco plaster and the façade among other issues. Extensive conservation efforts, underpinned by rigorous investigation and research were undertaken to restore damaged or lost architectural elements, securing the building’s structural stability and facilitating its reuse.