About charminar
A splendid piece of architecture standing in the heart of the city built
by Quli Qutub Shah, in 1591. This magnificent monument is the unique symbol
of Hyderabad. Charminar is often called as "The Arc de triomphe of
the East". It is considered as the legendary masterpiece of Qutub
Shahi's. This beautiful structure derives its name from four intricately
carved minarets, The four graceful minarets literally meaning 'Four Minars',
soar to a height of 48.7m each, above the ground. It is located amidst
the colourful shops of Lad Bazaar with its glittering traditional bangles
in the old city. Enormous in its size, this imposing monument exudes a
charm that is more than 400 years old.
The Qutub Shahi Reign
The history of Hyderabad begins with the establishment of the Qutub
Shahi dynasty. Owing to the inadequacy of water and frequent epidemics
of plague and cholera Quli Qutub Shah established the new city with
the Charminar at its centre with four great roads fanning out in four
cardinal directions.
The plan is a square, each side 20m long, while the four arches are
11m wide and rise 20m from the plinth. The four-storeyed minarets rise
20m from the roof of the massive monument and measure 24m from the plinth.
The western section of the roof contains a mosque, ranking among the
finest the gifted Qutub Shahi artisans ever built.
There are 45 prayer spaces with a large open space in front to accommodate
more for Friday prayers. To the east of this space is a lovely verandah
with a large open arch in the centre, flanked by smaller ones on both
sides.
A Representation Of Indo-Sarcenic Tradition
It was built with granite and lime-mortar. It is a blend of 'Cazia'
and Islamic style of architecture. The intertwined arches and domes
are examples of typical Islamic style of the architecture. The graceful
floral motif atop the Charminar is enchanting. The Charminar depicts
the Indo-Saracenic tradition - a symbiosis of the Hindu and the Muslim
traditions, which has woven the magic of a rich Deccan culture. The
Charminar looks spectacular particularly in the nights when it is illuminated.
It offers an excellent panoramic view of the city and Golconda Fort,
which makes the mind go back into time and recapitulates the past glory
of Hyderabad during the Qutub Shahi times. Charminar has become an inseparable
part of the history of Hyderabad.
North
India States
