Context: Winning global laurels, Telangana has made the entire country proud. The state has scored a double win at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation with a Distinction of Merit for two initiatives. The awards recognise conservation efforts of private individuals.

Key Highlights

• It won award  for Cultural Heritage Conservation for the restoration of the stepwells inside the Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex in Hyderabad and for the conservation work on the Domakonda Fort in Kamareddy district.

• 13 projects from six countries – Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nepal and Thailand – have been acknowledged for awards in 2022.

• Topdara Stupa, Charikar, Afghanistan and Nantian Buddhist Temple, Fujian, China, has also received the ‘Award of Merit’.

Domakonda Fort

• It is a private property and was built in the 18th century with an amalgam of styles including stucco work, arched pillars, a flat ceiling, and a courtyard with a water garden pond.

• It has won UNESCO heritage conservation awards in Merit for conservation work.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

• It has won the Award of Excellence.

• It is a part of the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai's world heritage property.

• It was established as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India in 1922.

Qutub Shahi Tombs

• They were planned and built by numerous monarchs who ruled the city and the state during the 18th century.

• They are built to Persian, Hindu, and Pathani styles of architecture.

• Domed structures, terraced gardens, intricate parapets, and exquisite ornamentation can all be found at one place.

• The Deccan Festival is held at the Qutub Shahi Tombs every year, presenting an opportunity for all those who want to witness the architectural and engineering marvels of the 18th century.

• These monuments are not only known for their splendid artistry and sprawling gardens but are also known for the countless tombs of the last-standing royals of Golconda.

• One of the most important tombs at the Qutub Shahi Tombs is the one that belongs to the Qutub Shahi dynasty founder, Sultan Quli Qutub-ul-Mulk.

• He built his tomb himself and was the longest overseer of the architectural project.

• He also decided to build tombs that belonged to the non-ruling members of the royal families for example the sisters, nephews, and nieces.

• The Qutub Shahi Tombs were built and dedicated to the seven Qutub Shahi rulers and their families who ruled Golconda for nearly 170 years.

Architecture of Qutb Shahi tomb complex

• The grandeur of the tombs is shielded by the majestic, landscaped gardens of Ibrahim Bagh.

• It was a grand royal necropolis in the distinctive Qutb Shahi architectural style.

• It is a blend of Hindu, Persian, Pathan and Deccan styles of architecture.

• It represents the Indo-Saracenic entrances, Persian minarets, domed structures, and intricately designed columns.

• False openings, central pillars, and two-tiered terraces all form an important part of the architecture of the other tombs here.

• The corridors of the famous Qutub Shahi tombs are famous for its Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.

• Pointed arches and 28 openings add to the kingly architecture of the Qutub Shahi Tombs.

UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards

• They are given with as the strategic purpose of UNESCO with in the region Asia Pacific.

• Objective: To motivate the protection of Cultural Heritage sites, which is initiated by any individual organization under the private sector or institutional organization.

The Awards consist of five categories

• Award of Excellence.

• Award of Distinction.

• Award of Merit.

• Honourable Mention.

• Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts