Mian Mishk Mahal

 Mian Mishk Mahal is located in Attapur, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India.  In the area between Golconda and Purana Pul, at a tranquil and deserted place, stands “Mushk Mahal”

In 1678, the palace was constructed by Miyan Malik Mishk, a commander of the Carnatic Forces of Abul Hassan Tana Shah, the last of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. In it’s time, it was a grand three-storied garden pavilion with waterways and gardens spread over a 10-acre area from where one could see the Golconda fort on one side, Musi river on another and the emblematic Charminar from another.

Attapur is an old locality on the right bank of Musi, before Charminar. While one road is dotted with ancient temples, nothing much remains of the other old structures that would have existed in the area — except a grand palace complex whose hulk can still be seen once you enter the inner lanes on the left side of the main road. Surrounded by tall grass, the grandeur of the building can still be evidenced from the shape of the balcony or the staircase. This is the Miyan Mishk Mahal built by an African soldier in the employ of Abul Hasan, the last ruler of Qutb Shahi dynasty.

A few kilometres away, in the Malakpet area of the city, is another grand old structure. A building in ruins that has virtually been boxed in by a housing complex built by the Andhra Pradesh Housing Board. This is the Mahbub Mansion built by the sixth Nizam Mahbub Ali Khan.  

Need of Renovation
24 June, 2018: GHMC to the rescue.The fate of Miyan Mishk Mahal, in Attapur seemed to be like that of scores of historical monuments in the city. Years of neglect by successive governments and encroachments eating up their spaces, the building lies in a sad state of ruin.However, things on Saturday offered a glimmer of hope to heritage activists in the city. Hours after activists took to Twitter to complain about the dumping of sewage on the property of the Qutub Shahi era palace, the state government sprung into action and cleared the area.
March 1, 2021: Hyderabad’s 300-year-old Mushk Mahal needs urgent attention
Stones are used as a cornice for the roof of the first floor projected with brackets which are in a better shape. The inner walls are damaged. The central portion distinct with an octagonal drum shape lost its sheen. The upper portion typically reflects the architectural style of the Qutub Shah. Two rows with Arches façade jutting out is attractive.

The top of the structure, designed to lead to Zenana (ladies) toilet is seven meters high with a large balcony and a stair case leading to the roof opening. The ground floor has large bedrooms with low walls that are probably used as resting chambers. 

According to the Department of Archaeology, this monument had a beautiful garden with a fountain in front which has now disappeared. While the first floor is relatively in a better shape, the other parts have lost their luster and are in ruins. 
Nov 17, 2021: Do we transform a 300-year-old building into a heritage site or do we let it be used as a thunder seat by the neighbourhood
Jan 13, 2022: Miyan Mishk Mahal is a picture of neglect


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