Charminar
The Charminar, built in
1591 AD, is as much the signature of Hyderabad as the Taj Mahal is of Agra or
the Eiffel Tower is of Paris.
The
English name is a transliteration and combination of the Urdu words Char and
Minar, translating to "Four Towers"; the eponymous towers are ornate
minarets attached and supported by four grand arches. The landmark has become a
global icon of Hyderabad, listed among the most recognized structures of India.
The Charminar is on the east bank of Musi river. To the northeast lies the Laad
Bazaar and in the west end lies the granite-made richly ornamented Makkah
Masjid.
Charminar
has the signature style of Islamic architecture. This great tribute to
aesthetics looks sturdy and solid from a distance and, as one moves closer, it
emerges as an elegant and romantic edifice proclaiming its architectural
eminence in all its detail and dignity. Charminar is a beautiful and impressive
square monument.
Sultan Muhammad Quli
Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty built Charminar in 1591
AD, shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what is now known
as Hyderabad. He built this famous structure to commemorate the elimination of
a plague epidemic from this city. He is said to have prayed for the end of a
plague that was ravaging his city and vowed to build a masjid (Islamic mosque)
at the very place where he was praying.
It
is said that, during the Mughal Governorship between Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi
rule, the south western minaret "fell to pieces" after being struck
by lightning and "was forthwith repaired" at a cost of Rs 60,000. In
1824, the monument was replastered at a cost of Rs 100,000.
The
Charminar is a square edifice with each side 20 meters (approximately 66 feet)
long, with four grand arches each facing a cardinal point that open into four
streets. At each corner stands an exquisitely shaped minaret, 56 meters
(approximately 184 feet) high with a double balcony. Each minaret is crowned by
a bulbous dome with dainty petal like designs at the base. A beautiful mosque
is located at the western end of the open roof and the remaining part of the
roof served as a court during the Qutb Shahi times. There are 149 winding steps
to reach the upper floor. Once atop, the solitude and serenity of the beautiful
interior is refreshing. The space in the upper floor between the minarets was
meant for Friday prayers. There are forty-five prayer spaces.
In its heyday, the
Charminar market had some 15,000 shops. Today the famous markets known as Laad
Baazar and Pather Gatti, near the Charminar, are a favour, of tourists and
locals alike for jewellery, especially known for exquisite bangles and pearls
respectively.
The
Traditional Food, like Biryani, Haleem, Mirchi ka salan, Double Ka Meetha etc.
is available around Charminar. The area is also famous for its variety of
shops. During the season of Sankranthi, the area is completely crowded with
vendors selling kites.
In
2007, Hyderabadi Muslims living in Pakistan constructed a small-scaled quasi
replica of the Charminar at the main crossing of the Bahadurabad neighborhood
in Karachi.
