09-07-2025
Kotwal House, which once housed Hyderabad police chief's office, restored after structural concerns
The famed Kotwal House in Hyderabad's old city, a Nizam-era colonial structure that housed the city police commissioner's office for decades, and remains one of the iconic landmarks of the city police history, has received a fresh lease of life, thanks to the conservation efforts taken up by the city police in collaboration with a CSR partner.
The institution of the city police commissioner of Hyderabad was created in 1847, and the Kotwal House became the official headquarters cum residence of the police commissioner after the then Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, gifted the building for the required purpose. The location of the Kotwal House near Purani Haveli, the official residence of the Nizam, and many other prominent devdis (mansions) of the time, speaks to the importance the office held during that period.
C V Anand, Police Commissioner, who helmed the project, will now have an office in the old city to oversee bandobast activities. The South Zone, which comprises the core of the old city, remains a key area for the city police. He has decided to be present at the Kotwal House on every Friday, and at the Basheerbagh commissioner's office on every Wednesday, even as his main office remains in the Integrated Command Control Centre in Banjara Hills.
'When I took charge, there was a report of the roads and buildings department proposing to dismantle the building as it was declared dangerous. I used to go every Friday and spend time in the old city and during one meeting, a part of the roof caved in. It was then that we decided to do something to save the heritage building. We estimated the cost and Mr Anil of Greenko agreed to come forward to save the heritage structure,' Anand told
Mir Khan, conservator in chief of the Deccan Terrain Heritage, who oversaw the conservation project, said the building was unused for about 5 years and was taken up for restoration in May 2023. 'There were structural issues like damage in the load-bearing walls and terrace, water leaks and wall plaster deterioration, wooden doors and windows, as well as rafters in the ceiling were deteriorated due to common moisture,' he said.
The team stripped off the entire lime plaster and undertook a revamp of the terrace, replacing wooden members, rafters, doors, and windows to bring the building back to its original glory. The building is a prime example of a typical Madras terrace type building, characterised by load-bearing walls, typical varandas with Roman columns, and an overlooking courtyard and gardens, similar to the Secunderabad Club and Nizam Club, for example. There are two cannons, one made of brass cast in Hyderabad's Gun Foundry and the other of iron cast and imported from Norway.
Rahul V Pisharody is an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express Online and has been reporting from Telangana on various issues since 2019. Besides a focused approach to big news developments, Rahul has a keen interest in stories about Hyderabad and its inhabitants and looks out for interesting features on the city's heritage, environment, history culture etc. His articles are straightforward and simple reads in sync with the context.
Rahul started his career as a journalist in 2011 with The New Indian Express and worked in different roles at the Hyderabad bureau for over 8 years. As Deputy Metro Editor, he was in charge of the Hyderabad bureau of the newspaper and coordinated with the team of district correspondents, centres and internet desk for over three years.
A native of Palakkad in Kerala, Rahul has a Master's degree in Communication (Print and New Media) from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Long motorcycle rides and travel photography are among his other interests. ... Read More
