AFCP Projects in Southern India

AFCP Projects in Chennai

Preservation of Palm leaf manuscripts and rare books at the United Theological College, Bengaluru. The manuscripts date back to 1523 and contain treasures such as the Kannada translations of the Vyasa’s Mahabharata and Valmiki’s Ramayana and other epic works from that era.  The rare books and other publications, mostly from the 18th century onwards, contain material regularly used by theological and secular scholars from India and abroad. (next two photos)

AFCP project to digitize and microfilm rare palm-leaf manuscripts

Brass plaque unveiled on October 29, 2007 by Mr. Fredrick Kaplan, former Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General Chennai to mark the completion of the AFCP project to digitize and microfilm rare palm-leaf manuscripts dating back to early 1500s, rare books and publications from the 18th century.

AFCP partner: The United Theological College, Bengaluru 

Preservation of rare books

Rare books belonging to American Arcot Mission of the Reformed Church of America.

AFCP partner: The United Theological College, Bengaluru 

AFCP Projects in Hyderabad

The U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad has executed four AFCP grants to date (see below).  The projects promoted respect for Hyderabad’s history and heritage and partnerships with local organizations and like-minded individuals. They paid tribute to influential women in Deccan region’s history like Maha Laqa Bai, Taramati and Premamati.   While comprehensive documentation of the Qutb Shahi Tomb’s architectural and archaeological values provided a stunning testimony of the innovative synthesis of Persian and Indian cultural traditions, the conservation of five step wells on site helped highlight the centuries old, traditional knowledge systems of water conservation in India.

AFCP – Conservation of five 16-17th century heritage stepwells

Conservation of heritage stepwells inside the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, Hyderabad (next two photos)

Idgah Baoli (stepwell), Hyderabad

Restored stepwell near the Idgah inside the Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex.

AFCP Partner: Aga Khan Foundation    

Idgah Baoli (stepwell), Hyderabad

Stepwell near the Idgah inside the Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex (Before restoration).

AFCP Partner: Aga Khan Foundation       

AFCP - Restoration of Tomb of Mah Laqa Bai, Hyderabad      

Restoration of the 19th century garden Tomb of Mah Laqa Bai, Hyderabad (next two photos)

Mah Laqa Bai Chanda’s tomb garden, Hyderabad

AFCP restoration completion ceremony.

AFCP Partner: Aga Khan Foundation

Mah Laqa Bai Chanda’s tomb garden, Hyderabad

Restoration of platform and pillars of Mah Laqa Bai Chanda’s tomb (before and after), Hyderabad.

AFCP Partner: Aga Khan Foundation          

AFCP – Documentation of Qili Qutb Shah necropolis, Hyderabad

Documentation of the 16-17th century Qili Qutb Shah necropolis, Hyderabad (next two photos)

Qutb Shahi tombs complex

Qutb Shahi tombs complex – Archeological area north of the royal hamam.

AFCP Partner: Aga Khan Foundation

Sultan Quli Qutb Shah's mausoleum, Hyderabad

Excavation which revealed the remains of the enclosure wall on the southern side of Sultan Quli Qutb Shah’s mausoleum, Hyderabad.

AFCP partner: Aga Khan Foundation    

AFCP – Conversation of the 17th century Tombs of Taramati and Premamati, Hyderabad

Conversation of Tombs of Taramati and Premamati, Hyderabad (next two photos)

Taramati and Premamati mausoleums

Taramati and Premamati mausoleums after AFCP conservation, Hyderabad.

AFCP Partner: Aga Khan Foundation          

Taramati's mausoleum, Hyderabad

Installation of the repaired pieces of copper finial atop the dome of Taramati’s mausoleum, Hyderabad.

AFCP Partner: Aga Khan Foundation