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Golden Threshold

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Building in Hyderabad, India
Golden Threshold
View of the Golden Threshold in 2013
General information
Architectural styleIndo-European
AddressNampally Station Road, Abids
Town or cityHyderabad
CountryIndia
Coordinates17°23′17.82″N 78°28′26.95″E / 17.3882833°N 78.4741528°E / 17.3882833; 78.4741528
Current tenantsBelgian court
OwnerBelgian government

The Golden Threshold is an off-campus annexe of University of Hyderabad. It is named after the renowned Indian poet and political leader Sarojini Naidu's eponymous first collection of poems.

The building was the residence of Sarojini Naidu's father Aghornath Chattopadhyay, the first Principal of Hyderabad College now Nizam College. During the Chattopadhyay family's residence, it was the centre of many reformist ideas in Hyderabad, in areas ranging from marriage, education, women's empowerment, literature and nationalism. Specifically, the reformist ideas included more power for women in a time where politics in India, especially regional politics, was dominated by men. It also included ideas for involvement for women in the arts field. There were also many restrictions on marriage during this time period that persist to this day, such as inter-regional and inter-caste marriages. These ideas were progressive for the era, but brought a change in India in slow ways over time.

The ashes of Sarojini Naidu kept at Golden Threshold, Hyderabad before immersion

Golden Threshold was named after Sarojini Naidu's very first collection of poetry published in 1905. It now houses Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication of University of Hyderabad. University of Hyderabad has plans to restore the dilapidated structure and transform Golden Threshhold into a museum-cum-cultural centre.

History

University of Hyderabad (1975-present)

In 1974, Padmaja Naidu had donated it to the government to be used for educational purposes. In 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi dedicated the Golden Threshold to its current owner, the University of Hyderabad.

The social sciences and humanities programmes were run at the Golden Threshold. These were moved to the main campus in 1988. The Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication ran at the premises till 2003.

Till recently Golden Threshold was listed as a protected heritage building under the Regulation 13 of the HMDA Act. As the Telangana Heritage Law does not incorporate the HMDA regulation, the Golden Threshold was stripped of its ‘protected’ tag. The building today is in dilapidated state.

References

  1. ^ "Golden Threshold is all set to be a thriving cultural hub". The Hindu. 14 November 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  2. "A historic home that shaped education in Hyderabad". The Hindu. 22 April 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  3. Sharma, Kaushal Kishore (2003). "Sarojini Naidu: A Preface to Her Poetry". Feminism, Censorship and Other Essays. Sarup & Sons. pp. 56–57. ISBN 978-81-7625-373-4.
  4. "Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication". Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  5. "A historic home that shaped education in Hyderabad". The Hindu. 22 April 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  6. Sur, Aihik (29 August 2019). "Golden Threshold: Vanishing threshold of history". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 January 2025.

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