86 THE WEEK^ • JULY 29, 2018
COVER STORY
TRAVELand Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah. Th e designs on
Sultan Ibrahim’s tomb, which were inspired by
Hindu temple architecture as infi ghting had driven
the sultan to the Vijayanagara kingdom in the Dec-
can plateau, have been highlighted. Th ousands
of ceramic tile fragments were revealed when the
excess earth on Sultan Muhammed’s crypt was
removed.
Yushowant Purohit, project manager of the
Agha Khan Trust for Culture, said that the conser-
vation works had been taken up after exhaustive
documentation, surveys, archival research and a
3D laser scanning of the monuments. Care was
taken not to damage the structures, with tradition-
al tools, building materials and craft techniques
being used for their restoration.
Th e tombs adjoin the Golkonda Fort which was
the dynasty’s seat of power. Th e passage that con-
nects the two important heritage sites is also being
developed for tourism.On the other side of the tomb of Sultan Ibrahim
is an eidgah, a gathering place to perform Eid
prayers, which is opened during Ramzan. Th ose
who came to pray this year were in for a surprise
when they saw the original designs on the wall
which was cleared of 20 layers of limewash. Th e
restored eidgah was part of the fi rst phase of the
project. Th e largest rainwater collecting pit, Badi
Baoli, has been given a new lease of life after a
portion of the corridor had collapsed in 2013
because of heavy rains. Work has also been done
on the hamam, where more than 250 movies have
been shot.
Th e restoration work has not only made the
Qutb Shahi tombs an interesting place for heritage
lovers and tourists but has also had an impact on
the historical narrative. Th e Aga Khan Trust is now
planning to train the guides so that the tourists can
hear an updated and more accurate account of the
Golkonda dynasty.A
fter your bags are packed and your itinerary
planned, make sure your fi nancial requirements are
taken care of before you set out. Here are some reasons
why cards have a distinct advantage over cash. Th ey are
more convenient to carry, are easily replaceable if they
get lost, and, if you have booked a hotel room using a
credit card, your reservation is usually guaranteed even
if you arrive late. Your card issuer might also be off ering
several travel perks, such as discounts on rental cars, free
breakfasts and late checkouts. In addition, you will get
whatever reward points your credit card off ers. If you are
carrying cash, you will need to exchange your money for
the local currency wherever you go; this is inconvenient
especially if you are travelling to many places.
Of course, cards have some disadvantages. Your bank,
for example, will add service fees for foreign currencyMoney matter transactions, so it is important to know the rate it
charges before embarking on your trip. Here are some
things to keep in mind while using credit or debit
cards:
★ Inform your card issuer before you travel so that
your card does not get cut off for suspected fraud.
★If you are using a debit card, see if you have a daily
spending limit.
★Get a travel card from your bank. Th at way, even if it
gets stolen, there will be a limit to the damage.
★Carry cards from diff erent issuers while travelling so
that if one does not work, you have a backup.
★Don’t use public computers or hotel wi-fi s to access
your bank account or check your balance.
★It is better to use credit cards rather than debit cards
for purchases, as debit cards take money directly from
your bank accounts. Use debit cards only to withdraw
cash from ATMs.
★Make sure you can access your credit cards online.
Th is way, you can update your travel itinerary or block
a stolen card immediately. You can also track your
spending in real time.
★Find out if your card has an app, which makes life
a lot easier. Also, keep the bank’s toll-free number on
the speed dial of your phone, so that in case of emer-
gency, there is no delay.
Now that you have taken these precautions, you are
all set to go. Have a great trip!