In a blow to the city’s cultural heritage, the iconic Munshi Naan outlet, which has been serving traditional naan bread for over 170 years, is set to be demolished to make way for the extension of the Hyderabad Metro Rail into the Old City area. The historic naan shop, known for its tandoor-baked bread, has been operating in its current location since 1851 and holds a special place in the hearts of locals.
The shop’s proprietor, Abdul Hameed, confirmed the news to media, stating that his shop has been marked for demolition as part of the Hyderabad Metro Rail’s Phase II expansion. This phase, approved by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on September 29, 2024, includes the development of metro corridors connecting Hyderabad to the airport, as well as a key route that passes through the Old City, from Chandrayangutta to MGBS.
The new metro lines will span a total of 116.2 kilometers, with one of the corridors connecting the airport via Aramghar. However, the metro’s expansion in the Old City will affect several historical monuments along the route, including those belonging to the Shia Muslim community. The Munshi Naan outlet, located near the Darul Shifa-Purani Haveli area, will be demolished as part of the necessary road expansions.
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“We’ve been fully marked for demolition, and the work has already begun,” Hameed said. “There are some people opposing the metro, but we are just looking for an alternative space so we can shift and continue our legacy.”
Munshi Naan was founded in 1851 by Hameed’s ancestor, Mohammed Hussain, who learned the recipe for naan bread while working as a Munshi (clerk) in the office of Hyderabad’s fourth Nizam, Nasir-us-Daula. He brought the recipe from Delhi, establishing a naan shop that quickly became a favorite among Hyderabadis. The shop has operated in its current location for 173 years, making it one of the oldest and most beloved culinary establishments in the city.
Despite attempts to modernize production by using machinery, Hameed shared that they could never replicate the same taste and texture of the naan made in the traditional tandoor. The unique method of sticking dough to the tandoor has been maintained since the shop’s founding and remains a cherished part of the Munshi Naan experience.
The shop’s demolition is part of a larger controversy surrounding the metro rail’s expansion in the Old City. A small group of residents, particularly those living near the Darul Shifa grounds, have expressed concerns that the project could damage historical monuments important to the Shia Muslim community in the area.
Despite the challenges, Hameed and his team are determined to continue their legacy. “We are looking for an alternative location to carry on our tradition,” he said. Munshi Naan’s signature bread remains a favorite for many, with customers often traveling from across the city to enjoy the iconic tandoor-baked naan.
As the metro rail project moves forward, the future of Munshi Naan and other historic sites in the Old City remains uncertain, raising questions about the balance between modernization and preserving cultural heritage.
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