Shaikpet is no doubt a heritage locality which has lost its sheen and glory with the passage of time and needs a revival. Shaikpet is one of the oldest areas in Hyderabad where magnificent and awe-inspiring Qutub Shahi monuments are found scattered at every corner, but neglect and apathy have not spared this heritage locality too.
As per the records of Waqf gazette of 1980 there are seven mosques and tombs in the locality. The biggest amongst them, Shaik Masjid stands tall on a massive 670 square yards land but in a pitiable condition. The premises of the masjid has been transformed into a dumpyard by the local residents and a glimpse of the gate at the entrance and the compound are a telltale sign that the monument is not receiving any protection. It is surrounded by skyscrapers which have totally hidden the historic monument. The saddest part of the story is that, according to local residents the premises is used by the miscreants for illicit activities. Influential elements have systematically encroached on the land housing tombs and graveyards.
The remaining mosques are either located within the premises of residential and commercial buildings or have been made a part of newer constructions. Shaikpet Sarai a guest house built 400 years ago by Quli Qutub Shah for their guests is completely hidden from view and part of it has been used to support an adjacent building.
Yet another mosque, garishly whitewashed, lies atop a hillock surrounded by houses. Similar ancient structures located in nearby Vinayak Nagar and surrounding areas, on the road to Narsingi, have met similar fate.
Qutub Shahi tombs which are in the run for UNESCO world heritage tag lie in the close vicinity of Shaikpet locality hence if the state government wants to win the world heritage tag, the age-old structures located at Shaikpet also need to be restored.