Built by Abdullah Qutb Shah between 1633 and 1634 for travellers and traders, it had all the amenities a guest would need during their stay. One of the oldest localities of the city, Shaikpet, is dotted by historical monuments at various places. Besides the small mosques and tombs and the Shaik Masjid, this Qutbshahi settlement is also home to a sarai (resthouse).
Built by Abdullah Qutb Shah between 1633 and 1634 for travellers and traders, it had all the amenities a guest would need during their stay. The two-storeyed building made of stone has an arched entrance and 30 rooms, 15 on each side of the main entrance. The rooms were spacious and well-ventilated. The sarai also had stone stables for horses and camels. Towards the right side of entrance is a small mosque known as ‘Jama Masjid’ while on the left is a guard room.
The mosque has a large stone platform, which can accommodate more than 500 people. The tomb of an unknown Sufi also lies here. There’s no stone plaque, so it can’t be identified. The plaques on other three sides, with beautiful calligraphy, are intact. The tomb has Quranic verses (aayats). Lore has it that the sarai was built for religious preachings and learning. The tutor and the students stayed in the rooms. Later, it was converted into a travellers’ bungalow.
The entire building is in a pitiable condition now and appears to be neglected by the authorities. Religious and cultural assemblies can be held here and the rooms can be redesigned to make a shopping complex. #KhabarLive
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