Charminar

The most prominent landmark of Hyderabad, Charminar has rightly been called as 'Arc de Triomphe of the East'. The Charminar (meaning "four minarets"), constructed in 1591, is a monument and mosque located in Hyderabad. The landmark has become known globally as a symbol of Hyderabad and is listed among the most recognized structures in India. It has also been officially incorporated as the Emblem of Telangana for the state of Telangana.
The Charminar's long history includes the existence of a mosque on its top floor for more than 400 years. While both historically and religiously significant, it is also known for its popular and busy local markets surrounding the structure, and has become one of the most frequented tourist attractions in Hyderabad. Charminar is also a site of numerous festival celebrations, such as Eid-ul-adha and Eid al-Fitr. The Charminar is situated on the east bank of Musi river. To the west lies the Laad Bazaar, and to the southwest lies the richly ornamented granite Makkah Masjid. It is listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure on the official "List of Monuments" prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The name charminar was given to symbolise the four minars of the monument. Although away from the obvious four minars, this monument showcase four in its other aspects as well. For instance, it has four dome. There are four small arches on each side of the main arch.These arches are also built in four directions. Each of the four minars are also divided into four segments. There are four entryway to the monument. Even the galleries on each floor is also four. And the most interesting part is that Mohammad Quli Shah who was the builder of this monument was also the fourth Sultan of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty.
The monument overlooks another grand mosque called the Makkah Masjid. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the 5th ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, commissioned bricks to be made from the soil brought from Mecca, the holiest site of Islam, and used them in the construction of the central arch of the mosque, hence its name. A market exists around Charminar. Lad Bazaar is known for its jewelry, especially bangles, and the Pathar Gatti, which is known for its pearls. In its heyday, the Charminar market had some 14,000 shops. The Bazaars surrounding Charminar were described in the poem "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" by Sarojini Naidu.
Undeniably the most prominent landmark of Hyderabad, Charminar has rightly been called as ‘Arc de Triomphe of the East’. It is also called as the ‘Mosque of the four minarets’. Not visiting this magnificent architecture while on a Hyderabad tour is nothing less than a sacrilege, especially if you are a travel enthusiast. Not only of Hyderabad, Charminar has become an iconic monument for entire India. An Urdu word, Charminar, means four turrets (char- four, minar-turret).
As suggested by its name, Charminar does have four exquisitely carved pillars, one of each side. This impressive structure stands calmly amid the hustle bustle of Laad Bazaar of the Old city. Maintained by the Archeological Survey of India, Charminar is a representation of the historical background of the city, its glamour, glory and cultural richness. Since its construction in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah of Shah Dynasty, Charminar has been captivating every visitor, with its architectural beauty as well as religious and historical significance.
Chamrinar is also known for the beautiful coexistence of different religions. Here you can experience the peacefulness of religious harmony. You can see how Mecca Masjid and Bhagyalakshmi Temple have been built so close yet stands with their individualistic religious significance. It is believed that Charminar was built to fulfil the secret promise Md. Quli Qutb had made to Allah in his prayers.
The area surrounding Charminar is bustling with energy at all times. There are innumerable shops selling innumerable things. But that is what Charminar Hyderabad represents; it is beautiful and larger-than-life, yet grounded amidst the everyday-life. It is sacred and mundane at the same time. But that's the thing about historical monuments. After a point, they stop being huge, beautiful structures and start evoking a sense of belonging among the people. And that's exactly the thing about Charminar too. Charminar is at its best when it lights up at night in the lively neighborhood of colorful bazaar and shops.
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The fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, built the Charminar in 1591 after shifting his capital from Golkonda to the newly formed city of Hyderabad. There are various theories regarding the purpose for which Charminar was constructed. However, it is widely accepted that Charminar was built at the centre of the city, to commemorate the eradication of cholera, a deadly disease which was wide spread at that time.
According to Jean de Thévenot, a French traveller of the 17th century whose narration was complemented with the available Persian texts, the Charminar was constructed in the year 1591 CE, to commemorate the beginning of the second Islamic millennium year. The event was celebrated far and wide in the Islamic world, thus Qutb Shah founded the city of Hyderabad to celebrate the event and commemorate it with the construction of this building. Due to its architecture it is also called as Arc de Triomphe of the east.
Historian Masud Hussain Khan says that the construction of Charminar was completed in the year 1592, and that it is the city of Hyderabad which was actually founded in the year 1591. According to the book "Days of the Beloved", Qutb shah constructed the Charminar in the year 1589, on the very spot where he first glimpsed his future queen Bhagmati, and after her conversion to Islam, Qutb Shah renamed the city as "Hyderabad". Though the story was rejected by the historians and scholars, it became popular folklore among the locals. Qutb Shah was also among the early poets of Dakhani Urdu. While laying the foundation of Charminar, he performed the prayers in Dakhini couplets.
During the Mughal governorship between Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi rule, the southwestern minaret "fell to pieces" after being struck by lightning and was repaired at a cost of Rs. 60,000. In 1824, the monument was replastered at a cost of Rs. One lakh.
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Designed by an Iranian architect settled in Hyderabad named Mir Momin Astarawadi, the grand edifice exhibits the Indo-Islamic style of architecture with influences drawn from the Persian style. The structure is made of limestone, granite, pulverized marble, and mortar and weighs around 14,000 tonnes. The Charminar features a perfectly square-shaped structure that is 20 meters long on each side. Four grand arches and four exquisite minarets placed at the four corners lend the monument a distinctive look.
The Charminar masjid is a square structure with each side being 20 meters (approximately 66 feet) long. Each of the four sides has one of four grand arches, each facing a fundamental point that opens directly onto the street in front of it. At each corner stands an exquisitely shaped, 56 meter-high (approximately 184 feet) minaret, with a double balcony. Each minaret is crowned by a bulbous dome with dainty, petal-like designs at the base. Unlike the minarets of Taj Mahal, Charminar's four fluted minarets are built into the main structure. There are 149 winding steps to reach the upper floor. The structure is also known for its profusion of stucco decorations and the arrangement of balustrades and balconies.
The structure is made of granite, limestone, mortar, and pulverized marble, weighing approximately 14,000 tones apiece. Initially the monument was so proportionately planned that when the fort first opened, one could see all four corners of the bustling city of Hyderabad through each of its four grand arches, as each arch faced one of the most active royal ancestral streets.
Though it is the perfect epitome of Shahi architecture, there are clear elements of Hindu architecture visible on this monument. In the arches and domes, Islamic architecture is explicit and the ornamentation is primarily Hindu style. Constructed using granite and lime-mortar, the floral designs and water screens enhance the monument's beauty and elegance. It also offers excellent view of the Golconda Fort which reiterates the glorious times of Hyderabad when it was under the reign of Qutub Shahi and the Golconda rulers.
A mosque is located at the western end of the open roof. The remaining section of the roof served as a royal court during the Qutb Shahi times. The actual mosque occupies the top floor of the four-storey structure. A vault which appears from inside like a dome supports two galleries within the Charminar, one over another. Above those is a terrace that serves as a roof that is bordered with a stone balcony. The main gallery has 45 covered prayer spaces with a large open space in front to accommodate more people for Friday prayers.
The clock on the four cardinal directions was added in 1889. There is a vazu (water cistern) in the middle with a small fountain for ablution before offering prayer in the Charminar mosque.
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