Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Neglect Leaves Hyderabad’s Paigah Tombs Vulnerable to Theft
The Paigah Tombs are old and important graves in Hyderabad.
They contain beautiful marble designs and coloured stones.
Some stones have already disappeared from one grave.
Other stones could also be stolen.
Visitors say the site does not have enough signs explaining who is buried there.
A heritage enthusiast says government agencies have not protected the site properly.
A Heritage Department official says CCTV cameras and more security are being planned.
The goal is to protect the tombs and their special artwork.
Valuable coloured stones have gone missing from Hussain Un-nisa Begum’s grave at Paigah Tombs.
Remaining green stones on the graves of Nawab Bashir-ud-Daula and Nawab Moin-ud-Daula face theft risks.
The Paigah Tombs in Santhoshnagar are a notified heritage structure.
A heritage enthusiast blamed inadequate supervision by the Heritage Department and Waqf Board.
Officials said CCTV cameras and additional security were planned for the site and other city heritage locations.
- Who
- The Heritage Department, the Waqf Board, heritage enthusiasts, visitors, and the nobles buried at the Paigah Tombs are involved.
- What
- Neglect and inadequate security have damaged the tombs and put valuable stones at risk of theft.
- When
- The article does not provide a specific date; it describes the site’s current condition.
- Where
- The Paigah Tombs in Santhoshnagar, Hyderabad.
- Why
- Insufficient supervision, maintenance, identification boards, and security have left the heritage site vulnerable.
Heritage Critics
Heritage Officials
Responsibility for the site’s condition
Heritage Critics
Heritage enthusiast Abdul Hafeez said negligence by the Heritage Department and Waqf Board is allowing religious heritage sites and attached properties to deteriorate.
Heritage Officials
A senior Heritage Department official said plans were underway to improve protection through CCTV cameras and additional security at the site and other heritage locations.
Visitor access and interpretation
Heritage Critics
Visitors praised the graves’ detailed marble work but criticized the absence of boards identifying the nobles and explaining the site’s history.
Heritage Officials
The official response cited planned security measures but did not specify when identification or historical boards would be installed.
- Site
- Paigah Tombs
- Location
- Santhoshnagar, Hyderabad
- Heritage status
- Notified heritage structure
- Reported damage
- Coloured stones are missing from Hussain Un-nisa Begum’s grave
- At-risk features
- The remaining green stones on the marble graves of Nawab Bashir-ud-Daula and Nawab Moin-ud-Daula
- Planned response
- CCTV cameras and additional security
- Additional concern
- Visitors said the site lacks name boards and historical explanations