A WW-II air raid shelter in Hyderabad that is now a library
This collection of books led to the creation of a group of people who pooled their ideas and resources. 'The library was named Bharat Gunavardhak Sanstha by polyglot scholar Gunde Rao Harkare. Mr. Harkare retired as a session judge of Wanaparthy and donated a copy of Sirr-e-Akbar, that is a translation of Upanishad from Sanskrit to Persian. As it was a priceless manuscript it was sent to Khuda Baksh Oriental Library in Patna,' informs Ms. Oudesh.
Engineer Malliah executed the project which was a two-storey structure on top of the bunker without taking any remuneration on a 471 square yard plot taken on a 100 year lease. It had two rooms for scholars, one room for a watchman, a stock room and a reading room.
Now, the air raid bunker has been turned into a storage room for chairs and tables. 'We don't have the stuff to run a separate newspaper section. The sanctioned staff strength is 14 but we have only two staffers,' informed an official of the library.
The dusty room with rows of chairs remains locked up. But it is a better fate than most other air raid shelters in Hyderabad that were built around that time. 'The air raid shelter in the Bella Vista (Administrative Staff College of India) is still intact, as is the one in the premises of College of Community Science where it is camouflaged by a lone palm tree,' informs Anuradha Reddy of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.
In 1941, while the war in Europe was raging, there was a threat perception about India's eastern coast. This led to the Nizam's Public Works Department stepping in and building Air Raid Protection Shelters for the nobility. Five of them were built — one at the King Kothi Palace, another at Bella Vista, another one Hill Fort Palace, the residence of Nawab Basalat Jah Bahadur and one more at the security chamber at King Kothi Palace for Nizam Osman Ali Khan. While the Bella Vista air raid shelter has survived, the fate of others is not known.
Other noblemen also built air raid shelters for their own safety, including Salar Jung III. 'It was there till early 60s and was to the right side of the entrance to the palace complex,' informs Ms. Oudesh. Nothing remains of it. One more air-raid bunker was built by Nasir Nawaz Jung of the Vicar-ul-Umra family on top of the Jubilee Hills property. 'It is still there and is a shelter for roosting bats. We don't try to enter that area,' says Raunaq Yar Jung, a descendant of Nasir Jung.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Inscription on 1000-year-old copper plate found in Telangana's Kodad sheds light on earliest recorded Kakatiya genealogy
An inscription on a copper plate found recently in Kodad of Suryapet district in Telangana sheds light on the earliest recorded genealogy of the Kakatiya dynasty — which ruled from 1000 to 1323 A.D. in several parts of the Southern India — tracing their origins as feudatories under the Eastern Chalukyas also known Vengi Chalukyas, said Dr. K. Munirathnam Reddy, director (Epigraphy), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The three-leaf copper plate, found in a graveyard at Kodad town, is preserved by the Department of Heritage in Hyderabad. Written in Sanskrit using Telugu script Issued during the coronation of Vikramaditya II in 918 CE, the record details the grant of a village to the family of a fallen Kakatiya ancestor who aided the Chalukya King in a succession battle. The inscription was written in Sanskrit using Telugu script and is dated Saka 840 (Phalguna Bahula Panchami, Saturday), which corresponds to March 6, 918 CE. The genealogy The inscription begins with a eulogy of the Samanta Vetti family (ancestors of the Kakatiyas) and mentions the genealogy of the dynasty from Kubja Vishṇuvardhana down to Vikramaditya II, along with their ruling periods. It lists their genealogy as Samanta Vetti, Gunda I, Erra, and Gunda II. It also mentions that Talapa captured and imprisoned the boy king Vijayaditya and ruled the kingdom for one month. The inscription records that King Vikramaditya II, on the occasion of his coronation, granted the village of Kovuṛu, situated in Kanḍeruvaḍi vishaya, to Lokamamba — wife of Gunda II (administrator of Kondapalli vishaya) — who had died while assisting Vikramaditya II in the war against Talapa to regain the throne. It was issued by Vikramaditya II, son of Chalukya Bhima I and Vijayamahadevi, and bears the Chalukya royal seal depicting a boar (Varaha) and the legend Sri Tribhuvanamkusa. The discovery and preservation were facilitated by Suryapet district collector, Tejas Nandlal Pawar.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
India's rare bear-like hunting dog breed from Manipur joins Assam Rifles: Meet the loyal and fearless Haofa
Haofa, an indigenous dog breed native to Manipur's Tangkhul region , is gaining national attention for its unmatched hunting instincts, loyalty, and growing role in India's security forces. Once a vital hunting companion among the Tangkhul Nagas, Haofa is now being procured by the Assam Rifles for their Dog Training Centre in Jorhat, Assam. According to ANI, the breed—often likened to a bear due to its robust frame, bluish-black coat, long muzzle, and powerful jaws—is found exclusively in the Ukhrul district of Manipur. Among locals, two main types of Haofa are recognized: a smaller variant used for hunting small game and a larger, more formidable type that serves as both hunter and guardian. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Data Science Finance Cybersecurity CXO Operations Management Digital Marketing MBA Management Leadership Technology Healthcare Public Policy Design Thinking Data Analytics PGDM Data Science others Others Degree Project Management healthcare Product Management Artificial Intelligence MCA Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Postgraduate Cert in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Prof Cert in DS & BA with GenAI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK DABS India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIT Madras CERT-IITM Advanced Cert Prog in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details — ANI (@ANI) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Crossout 2.0: Supercharged Crossout Play Now Undo Tenno, President of the Phungcham Haofa Lover Association, told ANI, "Haofa is an indigenous canine breed of the Tangkhul community. It is found only in this region and nowhere else. Haofa is considered both a guard dog and an excellent hunting dog . Its strong sense of smell makes it highly sought-after." Though the breed once thrived across Tangkhul lands, the population of purebred Haofa has declined significantly in recent decades. Phungcham village remains one of the few places preserving its genetic lineage, thanks to the efforts of dedicated breeders. Live Events For the Tangkhul community, Haofa is more than just a dog—it is a living symbol of identity and heritage. Now, this indigenous treasure is attracting national interest. Manipur dog enthusiast Yangpen Yangya highlighted the breed's potential beyond rural terrains. "This dog is very good for us. It can even serve in the country's security forces. Its sense of smell is excellent. It can be used in cities like Delhi and Mumbai. It's extremely loyal to its master and is also great for providing security to children and the elderly," Yangya said in an interview with ANI. Recognising the breed's significance, a team from the Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Imphal, recently conducted a detailed breed assessment in Phungcham. Their findings have been submitted to the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Haryana, for official recognition at the national level. Haofa's revival story is not just about a rare breed—it represents a broader movement to preserve indigenous biodiversity, cultural heritage, and the pride of Northeast India.
News18
9 hours ago
- News18
'Sanskrit Going Extinct, Only Census Can Save It!': Truth Behind Viral Claim
Last Updated: Social media warns Sanskrit faces extinction without census support. But with ongoing use in rituals and education, the language remains alive and actively preserved A message circulating on social media warns of the possible extinction of the Sanskrit language, urging citizens to declare Sanskrit as their first language in the upcoming national census. The claim suggests that failure to do so may result in Sanskrit being labelled as 'extinct', which could subsequently lead to the withdrawal of government grants, educational assistance, and preservation efforts. While it is accurate that Sanskrit is spoken by a relatively small number of people today, this limited usage does not imply the language is extinct. The Census Push Social media posts claim that the census will be concluded by March 2027, and encourage people to select 'Sanskrit' when asked about their mother tongue and languages known. Although Sanskrit is not widely spoken in everyday conversation, it is still regularly used in daily worship, chanting, the recitation of shlokas, and during religious rituals. According to the 2011 Census of India, 24,821 people reported Sanskrit as their first language, a significant rise from 14,135 in the 2001 census. In certain villages such as Dimmar in Uttarakhand, Mattur in Karnataka, and Jhiri in Madhya Pradesh, Sanskrit remains in active daily use. Sanskrit, regarded as India's oldest and original language, holds deep cultural and religious significance. Various efforts continue to support its preservation. Numerous universities across India and abroad offer courses in Sanskrit, and some Indian states include the language as a compulsory or optional subject in schools. Educational institutions like Utkal University and the National Sanskrit University are dedicated to the teaching and research of Sanskrit. Furthermore, government bodies, including the Ministry of Education, have specific budget allocations for Sanskrit's promotion, and separate grants are provided to institutions engaged in its study and preservation. Census And Language Policy: Understanding The Link The census is a key instrument in collecting data related to population, socio-economic indicators, education levels, and languages spoken. This information assists in the creation of government policies and development plans. Data concerning the number of speakers of a language can help indicate whether targeted support or special schemes are necessary for its preservation. However, government grants and support for a language are not determined solely by the number of speakers. Factors such as a language's historical, cultural, and constitutional status also play a significant role. Sanskrit, for instance, is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which formally recognises its official importance. What Constitutes Language Extinction? A Closer Look The decision to classify a language as 'extinct' is not made lightly. It involves defined criteria established by international organisations such as UNESCO. A language is considered extinct when no person speaks it as their mother tongue and no younger generation is learning it. While several Indian languages are indeed endangered and at risk of extinction, the suggestion that Sanskrit will lose government support unless listed as a first language in the census is inaccurate and overstated. Sanskrit's Enduring Significance And Future Outlook Despite a decline in its everyday use, Sanskrit continues to be preserved through religious, educational, and scholarly practices. The language's historical, cultural, and religious value ensures that it remains eligible for ongoing government and institutional support, backed by dedicated budget allocations and national recognition. In conclusion, while raising awareness about Sanskrit's role and encouraging its learning is important, the claim that it faces extinction or funding loss unless declared as a first language in the census lacks factual basis. The language remains a living cultural treasure, supported by a broad network of public and academic institutions. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 17, 2025, 10:17 IST News explainers 'Sanskrit Going Extinct, Only Census Can Save It!': Truth Behind Viral Claim | Fact Check Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
