Many Hyderabadis often go to the Moula Ali shrine, sometimes with religious intent, and otherwise just to go up the huge hill for its view. However, many are perhaps unaware that the shrine is in fact one of the city’s oldest historic or heritage sites, that even predates Hyderabad.

Not only does it go back to the time of the third Qutb Shahi (Golconda) king, Ibrahim Qutb Shah, the Moula Ali hill shrine has been in use since as far as the city has existed. Keeping that in mind, it may be noted that some years ago a ramp was built for vehicles to make it easier for people to reach halfway up the shrine. And the site’s original structure is about to be changed once again, as another ramp is being built by the state government, which heritage activists say will endanger the shrine. 

In this episode, host Yunus Lasania speaks with budding architect Mohd. Sibgatullah, who also runs the Instagram handle The Deccan Archive, about how the ongoing work at Moula Ali hill will impact the heritage site.