Hyderabad, September 27: The battlements on the roof of the Judges Chambers in the High Court, which got badly damaged during the recent fire, have to be removed, according to a report submitted by the Department of Archaeology and Museums on the condition of the monument. As per the findings of the report, which was submitted to the High Court authorities recently, the external structure was intact but some internal changes were needed. Removal of the battlements was necessary to avoid dead load. The ceiling of the chambers, constructed with `Shabad’ stone and lime, was completely damaged and needed to be replaced. So was the case with floorings.
“Due to the extensive fire, the stone blocks used for the construction of the building were damaged.
The decorative art work done in plaster and lime peeled off and completely vanished on some walls. The cornices in the central library were also partly damaged,” the report said. The main entrance arch was partly damaged but the key stone was found intact. However, there are gaps between stone blocks, which have to be strengthened by providing a buttress arch.
“The opinion of a structural engineer is also to be taken to assess the stability of the building,” the experts opined in the report. The examination of the monument was done by K Veerabadhra Rao, superintending archaeologist at the Archaeological Survey of India and Archaeology and Museums director P Chenna Reddy on the request of the Registrar of the High Court.
The monument marked by a unique facade facing Musi river, is the finest example of Nizam’s architecture, resembling the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. Constructed in 1919, during the period of seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, it suffered a serious setback following the fire that broke out on Aug 31.
–Agencies–