Munshi Naan, Old City’s 174-year-old bakery, demolished for Metro project
HYDERABAD: The 174-year-old Munshi Naan, a culinary landmark of Hyderabad’s Old City, was demolished on October 14 to make way for the upcoming Hyderabad Metro Rail corridor. The shop, founded in 1851, had been operating from its historic premises until recently.
Its proprietor, Abdul Hameed, confirmed the demolition, saying the structure was removed about 12 days ago. “We managed to find a space nearby in the opposite lane and will reopen within the next two weeks,” he told Siasat.com.
Metro expansion to alter heritage landscape
Munshi Naan was among several structures identified for demolition earlier this year as part of the Metro Rail’s phase II expansion, which includes a line connecting Chandrayangutta to MGBS through the Old City. Approved by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on September 29, 2024, the ₹8,000-crore project spans 116.2 km, including an airport link via Aramghar.
The new corridor will pass through Darul Shifa and Purani Haveli, areas rich in Shia Muslim heritage. Officials said some religious and heritage structures along this stretch may be affected by the alignment.
Munshi Naan’s legacy lives on
Founded by Mohammed Hussain, who served as a Munshi (clerk) under Hyderabad’s fourth Nizam Nasir-us-Daula, the bakery became synonymous with traditional tandoor-baked naan. Despite attempts to modernise production with machines, the owners retained the original bhatti method to preserve flavour and texture.
Over the decades, the shop attracted customers from across Hyderabad and beyond. “People come from far just for our naan,” Hameed said, adding that the family remains committed to maintaining the bakery’s authenticity despite the relocation.
This Article is originally published in The Siasat Daily, today.
