Tomb of Mah Laqa Bai Being Refurbished Through US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation

Hyderabad|India|August'2010:  Hyderabad organizations MESCO (Muslim Educational, Social and Cultural Organization) and the Center for Deccan Studies exhibited 17 panels describing the history and significance of the 18th century poet and courtesan Mah Laqa Bai at the Taj Deccan on August 19, 2010.

The U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad held a press conference to announce progress in restoring the tomb and garden of Mah Laqa Bai at Moula Ali in Hyderabad and to exhibit panels about the project. The project is funded by a U.S. Government grant through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation.

The Hyderabad-based restoration architects at Heritage Conservation Initiative Consultants (HCIC) have undertaken the renovation work. The company has cleared the area of debris, and is restoring the buildings and their exquisite decorations. Still to be completed is repair of two step wells and laying out the garden. The renovation team hopes to complete the project before the end of the year.

Mah Laqa Bai is one of the most illustrious women of Hyderabad’s cultural history. Also known as Chanda Bibi, she died in 1824 after leading an exemplary life as the court dancer for the second and third Nizams. She is also important as the first woman to author a full collection of Urdu ghazals. She was active in the religious and political life of Hyderabad during the city’s golden age.

The exhibit presents the story of Mah Laqa Bai’s life and cultural legacy, though poetry, paintings, maps, architecture and religious sites associated with her. The exhibition is unveiled now for the public, but it will be permanently housed at Mah Laqa Bai’s tomb and garden, once the restoration of the site is complete.