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| renovated Mahboob clock tower, Hyderabad, India.thehansindia.com |
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| Mahboob Chowk ClockTower,1892 Hyderabad, India.shutterstock.com |
Considered to be an important part of Hyderabad architectural heritage, Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower is a five-storied tall clock tower that was built in 1892 by Asman Jah, a palgah noble and Prime Minister of Hyderabad (1887-94). It was built in Indo-European style with a four-faced, free-standing structure, diminishing in elevation and plan from the ground up. It is in the middle of a big elevated garden named after Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, sixth Nizam. It was a gift to the commoners to keep track of the time as there were no wrist watches or table clocks in those days. The Clock Tower, Mahboob
Chowk
was awarded the INTACH
Heritage Award in 2008.
Until recently this 127 year old clock tower was in a state of neglect and decay. It became a hangout for the hobos, junkies and drunks. The plastering on the tower was peeling off and there was a thick growth of vegetation sprouting from the cracks. One could see the growth of moss all around the structure. Now, this heritage structure is back to glory and in October 2018, the clock started ticking after a long gap. Thanks to the restoration work undertaken by GHMC as part of the Charminar Pedestrian Project (CPP).
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| Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower,Hyderabad, India. under renovation.thenewsminute.com |
The five major clock towers in the city, namely the ones at Moazzam Jahi Market, Shah Ali Banda, Monda Market, Sultan Bazaar and Mahboob Chowk, have been lying defunct for several years. The GHMC began the restoration work on Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower after several complaints.
The lower two parts have cantilevered balconies all around the tower wall supported by Qutub Shahi style brackets with low intricately wrought metal railings. The architectural attractions are the Clerestory windows above the door openings, the base in dressed granite with a small central portion in stucco and an arch on top. In another part/ stage the corners are decorated with slender detached Corinthian columns and the finial is a cupola of smooth stucco plaster resting on an octagonal base.
Located in the midst of a garden, the clock tower has four clocks on four sides. So, one could see time from any direction. The clock tower is designed in the Turkish style. Lots of people visit this place as it is close to the Charminar and Laad Bazaar. The Mahboob Chowk was once a commercial community shopping center of the city with shops selling a variety of wares from household items of daily use, etc. Close to the clock tower are some heritage structures like Moti Mahal built in 1880 and the mosque west of the tower. The latter was rebuilt by the VI Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan in 1904
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation as part of the initiative to restore and renovate the old heritage structures. a couple of years ago took serious step to renovate the historic clock tower. The renovaion task was completed toward the end of September, 2020. Now the vintage clock tower is back to old glory in this locality, Mahboob Chowk which is located at West of Charminar. The clock atop the tower was in a state of neglect for a pretty long time despite protests by heritage lovers. The Agency has shortlisted 12 clock towers in the city for restoration and repair work.
Mahboob Chowk is an important place in Hyderabad that has three historical buildings, including the Chowk mosque, Chowk clock tower and Moti Mahal. The clock tower built in 1892 by Nawab Asman Jah Bahadur, who served as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad from 1887 to 1894 has begun to attract the visitors to this locality..
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