STUDY OF SCULPTURES CONSTRUCTED FOR WALL SURFACES IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS AT HYDERABAD SINDH

Abstract

This research paper investigates the role of sculpture in Sindh with particular reference to the sculptural surfaces of public buildings in Hyderabad during the British colonial period. The study explores sculpture not only as an artistic element but also as an architectural and ideological practice that shaped public space, visual culture, and colonial authority. It traces the historical development of sculpture in Sindh from the Indus Valley Civilization through Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic periods, emphasizing its traditional integration with architecture and environmental design. Fieldwork conducted on colonial public buildings, especially the Civil Hospital Hyderabad, documented high-relief sculptures and decorative surface treatments. Indigenous architectural systems such as terracotta screens, perforated jalis, and ventilated façades were also examined to highlight the region’s long-standing sculptural and climatic design traditions. The paper argues that British colonial architecture introduced Greek and Roman-inspired figurative sculpture as a visual instrument of imperial power, replacing indigenous surface systems with symbolic representations of authority. It further discusses the contribution of Hindu philanthropic patronage in adapting sculptural practices within colonial urban contexts. Using Erwin Panofsky’s method of image analysis, the research concludes that the post-independence neglect and removal of colonial-era sculptures reflected political and historical anxieties rather than solely religious concerns. The study emphasizes the need for conservation policies to preserve Hyderabad’s sculptural heritage and contributes to understanding sculpture as an active agent in architectural and cultural transformation.