HYDERABAD: Hundreds of heritage sites in Telangana which boasts of centuries-old rich history and unique art work have a great potential to become tourist destinations. But the state government which is promoting its well-known historical sites with the aim to make the state a tourist hub, is yet to make its first step to protect its little-known heritage sites.
Nizamabad district is home to many such sites, followed by other districts like Warangal and Mahaboobnagar. Sidha Saya Reddy, a retired lecturer, who has done research on historical sites in Nizamabad district, said Koulas Fort, Bodhan fort, Balkonda Fort and several other forts in Nizamabad district are considered to be the best constructions by Kakatiya and Rashtrakoota kings. But many of them have been vanadalised or encroached by locals in the past few decades.
Research by another scholar, Dr Jai Kishan, describes the pathetic condition of one of the rarest cannons used by Nizam rulers and Tippu Sultan. One can see the damaged cannons in many of the forts in Telangana, including Golconda Fort. Ancient swords and blades, made of wootz steel were found in around 600 villages in Telangana. All these artifacts need to be protected by the state government, Jai Kishan said.
There are hundreds of such sites and art collections which are not recognised by the State Archaeology Department or the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). So far the Telangana Archaeology Department has identified only 347 heritage sites as protected monuments. These sites get funds from the government and they are promoted as tourist destinations.
A recent study by the Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage (INTACH), documented such rare heritage structures and artifacts in Telangana which need immediate attention. Anuradha Reddy, co-convener, INTACH, Telangana, appealed to the archaeology department to add these little-known sites in the list of protected monuments and preserve them.
Sunitha M Bhagavat, director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Telangana said, the government will protect the sites after studying the report of INTACH.
