Charminar Jewel Of Hyderabad - చార్మినార్
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Charminar, which is synonymous with Hyderabad is one of the magnificent structures built by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shahi dynasty and also the founder of the City, in Hijri 1000 (A.D.1591-92). This is a square structure measuring 31.95 mts. on each side with imposing arches spanning a distance of 11mts. There are four minarets, each having three storeyes, rising to a height of 56 mts. The spiral staircase inside the minarets has 149 steps leading to the top with 12 landings. The double screen of arches on the roof and the ornamental arches on the minarets add to the aesthetic value.
The notable feature of Charminar is the location of a mosque on the western section of the second floor, probably one of the most beautiful of this period. There are forty-five mushallas (prayer spaces) with an open courtyard in front.
The structure is also known for its profuseness of stucco decorations and arrangement of balustrades and balconies. The floral designs are varied and delicately executed. It was a synthesis of Mughal and Hindu architecture executed by the local artisans.
There are various theories regarding the purpose for which Charminar was constructed. However, it is widely accepted that Charminar was built at the center of the city, to commemorate the eradication of plague. In the middle of the eighteenth century, Bussy the French Commander made Charminar his headquarters.
The four clocks were added later, on the four cardinal directions in the year 1889. At the base of Charminar was originally a Vazu (water cistern) at the center with a small fountain for customary ablutions, before offering prayers in the mosque.
Hyderabad, the capital city of the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is famous all over the world for its magnificent Charminar (four minarets). Often called "The Arc de triomphe of the East", Charminar was built by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah, the erstwhile Qutub Shahi Sultan of Golconda, in 1591. It was the centre of attraction of the magnificent capital city of Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah. In spite of it being dwarfed by present day buildings, the Charminar has not lost its erstwhile majesty and continues to attract travellers. Presently, Charminar stands with pride, at the centre of the old city.
It is so because each region in India has its own form of Indo-Islamic architecture, which varies from place to place and there is no standardization. On the other hand Islamic art itself was a composite style, which had various Muslims influences like Turkish, Persian and Arabic.
Rulers from different parts of the Muslim world, who came and settled in India, brought with them the artistic traditions of their regions. The intermingling of such traditions with local Indian practices resulted in different forms of Indo-Islamic art. In Delhi, Islamic influences dominated while in the Deccan, local styles were more prominent in the buildings. In Bengal, the indigenous practice of using bricks for building was adopted and the monuments were richly decorated with chiselled and moulded decorations typical of Hindu temples.
Though both the Indian and Islamic styles have their own distinctive features, there are some common characteristics, which made fusion and adaptation easy. Both the styles favour ornamentation, and buildings belonging to both these styles are marked by the presence of an open court encompassed by chambers or colonnades.
The Charminar is an excellent example of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The four arched gates and the four towering minarets of this building reflect its Islamic lineage but the overall rendering of the building reflects a strong local influence. The decorations on the main structure and the minarets are ample evidence of local architectural traditions.
The Charminar is an imposing monument, which reflects the glory of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. It is a massive square structure, 56 m (183.72 ft) high and 30 m (98.42 ft) wide. This monument is built entirely of granite and lime mortar. It has 4 minarets one on each of its corners. These fluted minarets are attached to the main building and rise towards the sky to a height of 56 m (183.72 ft). Each minaret of the Charminar has a double balcony. A small bulbous cupola crowns each of these beautiful minarets, which is decorated with petal like formations. A short pointed spire crowns all the minarets.
The four grand arches of the Charminar face the four cardinal directions. Once upon a time each of these arches led to four royal roads. Each of the four arches is decorated on its sides with a row of small arched niches. The Charminar is a two-storied building with the first floor being covered. The elegant balconies on this floor provide excellent vantage point for viewing the surrounding areas. There is a small mosque on the top floor of the building, which can be reached by climbing a total of 149 steps. The mosque is situated on the western side facing the Muslim holy city of Mecca. There are as many as 45 prayer spaces on this floor, which does not have a roof on top of it. It is said that people thronged this mosque to offer Friday prayers, during the reign of the Qutub Shahi dynasty in Hyderabad. This mosque is the oldest surviving mosque in the city of Hyderabad. The panoramic view of the city from the top is simply breathtaking.
The Charminar is a unique blend of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture that flourished in India during the medieval period. The beauty of this enchanting monument is accentuated every evening when it is illuminated.
Standing majestically in the midst of the crowded old city, is the Charminar-the huge but elegant arch, a masterpiece of Qutub Shahi architecture. It is located amidst the colourful shops of Lad Bazaar (Choodi Bazaar) with its glittering traditional bangles, pearls and bridal ware in the old city. Unique to Hyderabad, this square structure has delicate stucco ornamentation, four tall minarets and a mosque on its top floor.
This imposing monument was built, as the legend goes, by Sultan Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah in honour of his Hindu Wife, Bhagmati, between 1591AD and 1612 AD, soon after he shifted his capital from Golconda to Hyderabad. Built upon four grand arches facing the four directions with its high slender minarets and spiral staircases, the structure reflects the glory of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.
Often called "The Arc de triomphe of the East", Charminar gets its name from its four gracefully carved minarets literally meaning 'Four (char) Pillars (minars)'. The design is said to be based on Shia "tazias" erected in honor of Hussain, the son in law of Prophet Mohammad. The massive square structure, built entirely of granite and lime mortar stands on a square base and opens up to four directions through grand arches. Each arch is 11 metres wide and rises 20 metres to the pinnacle from the plinth. The clocks above each of the four archways were added in 1889. These arches support two floors of rooms and a gallery of archways. The structure stands in a junction and the arches overlook four major thoroughfares.
There are four minarets in the four corners which soar upwards about 22 metres from the roof of the square structure. Each minaret stand on a lotus-leaf base that is a recurrent motif in Qutub Shahi buildings and has four floors, each looking like a skillfully carved ring around the minaret. In between the floors of each minaret, there are spiral staircases of 149 steps which ascend to triple tiers of balconies from where one can have beautiful views of the old city. From the ground to the apex, the minarets cover a length of 56 meters and on top they taper off to a bulbous dome crowned by a brass spire. The dome is decorated with petal like motifs.
The upper levels of the Charminar were used as a madrasa and mosque, from where royal proclamations were read out to the assembled public. The beautiful mosque is situated on the western section of the top floor facing the holy city of Mecca. The rear wall of the mosque is indicated by blank niches framed by petalled ornament. There are 45 open air prayer spaces without roof, to accommodate more people in Friday prayers. To the east of this space is a spacious verandah with large open arches in the center, flanked by smaller ones on both sides . There is a water tank in the middle. The first floor has beautiful balconies from where one has a fantastic view of the historic city.
Charminar has become an inseparable part of the history of Hyderabad. There is a belief that Charminar was built to mark the end of an epidemic of plague in the city. The beautiful structure looks spectacular particularly in the nights when it is illuminated. The arch is illuminated each evening from 7pm to 9pm. Open Weekdays: 0900-1700; Saturdays: 0900-1700.
The bustling bazaars near Charminar sell pearls, bangles, dresses and typical Hyderabadi delicacies. Nearby there are many structures that are historically and architecturally significant.
Hyderabad is also well connected by train and road with important destinations in India. To travel to the Charminar, you can make use of local buses (that ply on fixed routes within the city), taxis or auto-rickshaws. Rented cars available in Hyderabad are ideally suited for exploring the city and places around it.
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC)
Tourism House", # 3-5-891, Himayatnagar,
Hyderabad - 500 029. Andhra Pradesh, India.
Tel: +91 40 2326 2151 / 52 / 53 / 54 / 57
Fax: +91 40 23261801
E-mail: Contact Us
The notable feature of Charminar is the location of a mosque on the western section of the second floor, probably one of the most beautiful of this period. There are forty-five mushallas (prayer spaces) with an open courtyard in front.
The structure is also known for its profuseness of stucco decorations and arrangement of balustrades and balconies. The floral designs are varied and delicately executed. It was a synthesis of Mughal and Hindu architecture executed by the local artisans.
There are various theories regarding the purpose for which Charminar was constructed. However, it is widely accepted that Charminar was built at the center of the city, to commemorate the eradication of plague. In the middle of the eighteenth century, Bussy the French Commander made Charminar his headquarters.
The four clocks were added later, on the four cardinal directions in the year 1889. At the base of Charminar was originally a Vazu (water cistern) at the center with a small fountain for customary ablutions, before offering prayers in the mosque.
Hyderabad, the capital city of the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is famous all over the world for its magnificent Charminar (four minarets). Often called "The Arc de triomphe of the East", Charminar was built by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah, the erstwhile Qutub Shahi Sultan of Golconda, in 1591. It was the centre of attraction of the magnificent capital city of Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah. In spite of it being dwarfed by present day buildings, the Charminar has not lost its erstwhile majesty and continues to attract travellers. Presently, Charminar stands with pride, at the centre of the old city.
Indo-Islamic Style of Architecture
Indo-Islamic style of architecture is neither a local variant of Islamic architecture that reached India in the middle ages, nor a modification of Hindu art, but it is an assimilation of both the styles, though not always in an equal degree.It is so because each region in India has its own form of Indo-Islamic architecture, which varies from place to place and there is no standardization. On the other hand Islamic art itself was a composite style, which had various Muslims influences like Turkish, Persian and Arabic.
Rulers from different parts of the Muslim world, who came and settled in India, brought with them the artistic traditions of their regions. The intermingling of such traditions with local Indian practices resulted in different forms of Indo-Islamic art. In Delhi, Islamic influences dominated while in the Deccan, local styles were more prominent in the buildings. In Bengal, the indigenous practice of using bricks for building was adopted and the monuments were richly decorated with chiselled and moulded decorations typical of Hindu temples.
Though both the Indian and Islamic styles have their own distinctive features, there are some common characteristics, which made fusion and adaptation easy. Both the styles favour ornamentation, and buildings belonging to both these styles are marked by the presence of an open court encompassed by chambers or colonnades.
The Charminar is an excellent example of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The four arched gates and the four towering minarets of this building reflect its Islamic lineage but the overall rendering of the building reflects a strong local influence. The decorations on the main structure and the minarets are ample evidence of local architectural traditions.
The Charminar is an imposing monument, which reflects the glory of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. It is a massive square structure, 56 m (183.72 ft) high and 30 m (98.42 ft) wide. This monument is built entirely of granite and lime mortar. It has 4 minarets one on each of its corners. These fluted minarets are attached to the main building and rise towards the sky to a height of 56 m (183.72 ft). Each minaret of the Charminar has a double balcony. A small bulbous cupola crowns each of these beautiful minarets, which is decorated with petal like formations. A short pointed spire crowns all the minarets.
The four grand arches of the Charminar face the four cardinal directions. Once upon a time each of these arches led to four royal roads. Each of the four arches is decorated on its sides with a row of small arched niches. The Charminar is a two-storied building with the first floor being covered. The elegant balconies on this floor provide excellent vantage point for viewing the surrounding areas. There is a small mosque on the top floor of the building, which can be reached by climbing a total of 149 steps. The mosque is situated on the western side facing the Muslim holy city of Mecca. There are as many as 45 prayer spaces on this floor, which does not have a roof on top of it. It is said that people thronged this mosque to offer Friday prayers, during the reign of the Qutub Shahi dynasty in Hyderabad. This mosque is the oldest surviving mosque in the city of Hyderabad. The panoramic view of the city from the top is simply breathtaking.
The Charminar is a unique blend of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture that flourished in India during the medieval period. The beauty of this enchanting monument is accentuated every evening when it is illuminated.
Standing majestically in the midst of the crowded old city, is the Charminar-the huge but elegant arch, a masterpiece of Qutub Shahi architecture. It is located amidst the colourful shops of Lad Bazaar (Choodi Bazaar) with its glittering traditional bangles, pearls and bridal ware in the old city. Unique to Hyderabad, this square structure has delicate stucco ornamentation, four tall minarets and a mosque on its top floor.
This imposing monument was built, as the legend goes, by Sultan Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah in honour of his Hindu Wife, Bhagmati, between 1591AD and 1612 AD, soon after he shifted his capital from Golconda to Hyderabad. Built upon four grand arches facing the four directions with its high slender minarets and spiral staircases, the structure reflects the glory of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.
Often called "The Arc de triomphe of the East", Charminar gets its name from its four gracefully carved minarets literally meaning 'Four (char) Pillars (minars)'. The design is said to be based on Shia "tazias" erected in honor of Hussain, the son in law of Prophet Mohammad. The massive square structure, built entirely of granite and lime mortar stands on a square base and opens up to four directions through grand arches. Each arch is 11 metres wide and rises 20 metres to the pinnacle from the plinth. The clocks above each of the four archways were added in 1889. These arches support two floors of rooms and a gallery of archways. The structure stands in a junction and the arches overlook four major thoroughfares.
There are four minarets in the four corners which soar upwards about 22 metres from the roof of the square structure. Each minaret stand on a lotus-leaf base that is a recurrent motif in Qutub Shahi buildings and has four floors, each looking like a skillfully carved ring around the minaret. In between the floors of each minaret, there are spiral staircases of 149 steps which ascend to triple tiers of balconies from where one can have beautiful views of the old city. From the ground to the apex, the minarets cover a length of 56 meters and on top they taper off to a bulbous dome crowned by a brass spire. The dome is decorated with petal like motifs.
The upper levels of the Charminar were used as a madrasa and mosque, from where royal proclamations were read out to the assembled public. The beautiful mosque is situated on the western section of the top floor facing the holy city of Mecca. The rear wall of the mosque is indicated by blank niches framed by petalled ornament. There are 45 open air prayer spaces without roof, to accommodate more people in Friday prayers. To the east of this space is a spacious verandah with large open arches in the center, flanked by smaller ones on both sides . There is a water tank in the middle. The first floor has beautiful balconies from where one has a fantastic view of the historic city.
Charminar has become an inseparable part of the history of Hyderabad. There is a belief that Charminar was built to mark the end of an epidemic of plague in the city. The beautiful structure looks spectacular particularly in the nights when it is illuminated. The arch is illuminated each evening from 7pm to 9pm. Open Weekdays: 0900-1700; Saturdays: 0900-1700.
The bustling bazaars near Charminar sell pearls, bangles, dresses and typical Hyderabadi delicacies. Nearby there are many structures that are historically and architecturally significant.
How to get there
Air
Indian Airlines has flights connecting Hyderabad with all major cities in India. The nearest airport Begumpet airport is situated on the main road between Begumpet and Parade grounds (Secunderabad), roughly 5 Km from Secunderabad Railway Station and 15 km from the old city of Hyderabad. Taxis are available from the airport. For flight timings Click here.Rail
The world's second largest railway under one management the Indian Railways carries more than ten million people every day. Main railway stations are Begumpet Station, Hyderabad Station and Secunderabad Station. For train timings Click here.Bus
he AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has a busy district service that connects Hyderabad to every city, town and almost all villages. To travel locally there are local buses, Taxis or auto rickshawsHow To Reach
Hyderabad and Secunderabad are twin cities, and share the same airport - Begumpet airport that is well connected by air with important Indian cities. It is located at a distance of six kilometres from Secunderabad and is 15 km from Old City (Old City of Hyderabad), where Charminar is situated. Taxis are easily available from the airport for the twin cities.Hyderabad is also well connected by train and road with important destinations in India. To travel to the Charminar, you can make use of local buses (that ply on fixed routes within the city), taxis or auto-rickshaws. Rented cars available in Hyderabad are ideally suited for exploring the city and places around it.
Contact
Corporate OfficeAndhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC)
Tourism House", # 3-5-891, Himayatnagar,
Hyderabad - 500 029. Andhra Pradesh, India.
Tel: +91 40 2326 2151 / 52 / 53 / 54 / 57
Fax: +91 40 23261801
E-mail: Contact Us
Charminar Jewel Of Hyderabad
Tourism House", # 3-5-891, Himayatnagar,
Hyderabad - 500 029. Andhra Pradesh, India.
Tel: +91 40 2326 2151 / 52 / 53 / 54 / 57
Fax: +91 40 23261801
E-mail: Contact Us
Fact File
Built In 1591 AD
Built By Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah
Location Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh.Tourism House", # 3-5-891, Himayatnagar,
Hyderabad - 500 029. Andhra Pradesh, India.
Tel: +91 40 2326 2151 / 52 / 53 / 54 / 57
Fax: +91 40 23261801
E-mail: Contact Us
Place: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Significance: Landmark of the city of Hyderabad Best Time to Visit: June - March Timings : Open Weekdays: 0900-1700; Saturdays: 0900-1700
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 Photo by : chashm-deed in Flickr |
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 Photo by : Srikanth Adepu in panaromia |
 Photo by : morten&torunn in panaromia |
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 Photo by : Nadir Aziz in panaromia |
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