Charminar is an iconic monument that is synonymous with Hyderabad's heritage and culture. It is a gateway with four minarets, which give it its name (Char Minar translates into English as Four Minarets). It was designed to serve as a Mosque and as a madrasa. It was constructed in 1591 by Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah to mark the end of a deadly plague. The construction began in 1589 and was completed in two years at a cost of Rs. 9 lakhs. The Charminar is situated on the east bank of Musi River, with the Laad Bazaar to its west, and the richly ornamented Makkah Masjid to its southwest. It was designed by the Iranian architect, Mir Momin Astrawadi. The four clocks which adorn the face of the four arches were added in 1889. The Charminar was constructed at the intersection of the historical trade route that connects the city to international markets through the port city of Machilipatnam.

History

• The Qutb Shahi dynasty was established in 1512 AD by Sultan-Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk, better known though less correctly referred to in English as "Quli Qutb Shah".
• The dynasty's founder, Sultan Quli Khawas Khan Hamdani was born in Hamadan Province, Iran.
• Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (4 April 1565 – 11 January 1612) was the fifth sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golkonda and founded the city of Hyderabad
• The dynasty came to an end in 1687 during the reign of its seventh sultan Abul Hasan Qutb Shah, when the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb arrested and jailed Abul Hasan for the rest of his life in Daulatabad, incorporating Golconda into the Mughal empire.

Architecture

• The architecture is primarily Indo-Islamic in style with elements of Persoan architecture as well.
• Charminar has been built with granite and lime mortar.
• The structure has a square plinth, with four arches, along the cardinal directions soaring above.
• At the center of the Charminar courtyard is a vazu for the ablutions of the devout.
• The minarets have four stories, with each floor divided by intricately carved rings that surround it. The minarets contain a spiral staircase with 149 steep steps and 12 intermediate landings, leading to the top.
• The walls of the structure as well as the minarets are largely plain, with arched jalis and occasional medallions to break the monotony. However, the balconies and the eaves have rich ornamentation.
• There is a mosque on the top floor in the western section of the structure, with 45 prayer spaces (masallahs). The mosque on the top floor has a domed chhatri on the east and a minaret on the west side.
• The four faces of the structure are not symmetrical.

Legends

• Legend has it that Qutb Shah constructed the Charminar on the very spot where he first glimpsed his future queen Bhagmati.
• According to Jean de Thévenot, a French traveller of the 17th century whose narration is complemented by available Persian texts, the Charminar was constructed in the year 1591 CE, to commemorate the beginning of the second Islamic millennium year

Trivia

• A minaret had fallen down after being struck by lightning in 1670 and had to be repaired.

Getting there

	Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (21 kms, 60 mins):The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad connects Hyderabad to most Indian and several International airports.
	Hyderabad Railway Station, Nampally (4 kms, 15 mins):Nampally Railway Station is serviced by South Central Railway and connects to most majpr cities in India
	Kacheguda Railway Station (5 kms, 25 mins):Kacheguda Railway Station is serviced by South Central Railway and connects to most major cities in India
	Secunderabad Railway Station (12 kms, 45 mins):Secunderabad Railway Station is serviced by South Central Railway and connects to most major cities in India
	Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (4 kms, 15 mins):The Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station at Imliban connects Hyderabad to several towns in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra
	Charminar Bus Station (1 kms, 5 mins):3K, 49M, 218, 218D, 219, 113M, 113K, 113Y, 222A, 229:The Charminar Bus Station in Mughalpura is connected to several parts of the city
	Osmania Medical College (3 kms, 10 mins):Green Line:Osmania Medical College on the Green line is the closest Metro station for Charminar. It is about 3 km by Road from the Metro Station southwards to Charminar.

Things To Do

• Visit Lumbini Park and take a boat ride to see the Buddha Statue in the middle of the Hussain Sagar Lake up-close for age groups 8 to 80
• Shopping in Sultan Bazar for age groups 15 to 65
• Visit the Birla Science Museum and take in a show at the Planeterium, and see the Dinosaur models and fossils on display for age groups 10 to 80

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