Charminar

The Charminar (lit. 'four minarets') is a monument located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Constructed in
Charminar
1591, the landmark is a symbol of Hyderabad and officially incorporated in the emblem of Telangana.[3] The
Charminar's long history includes the existence of a mosque on its top floor for more than 425 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,[4] as it is
adjacent to the city's main mosque, the Makkah Masjid.
Charminar
The Charminar is situated on the east bank of Musi River.[5] To the west lies the Laad Bazaar, and to the
southwest lies the richly ornamented Makkah Masjid.[6] It is listed as an archaeological and architectural Religion
treasure on the official list of monuments prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India.[7] The English Affiliation Shia Islam
name is a translation and combination of the Urdu words chār and minar or meenar, translating to "Four District Hyderabad
Pillars"; the towers are ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches.[6] district
Year 1591
History consecrated

The fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, built the Charminar in 1591 after Location
shifting his capital from Golconda to the newly formed city of Hyderabad. Location Old City of
Hyderabad,
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the current caretaker of the Telangana, India
structure, mentions in its records, "There are various theories regarding
Municipality GHMC
the purpose for which Charminar was constructed. However, it is widely
accepted that Charminar was built at the centre of the city, to State Telangana
commemorate the eradication of plague", a deadly disease which was Administration Government of
wide spread at that time.[8][9] According to Jean de Thévenot, a French Telangana
traveller of the 17th century whose narration was complemented with the Geographic 17°21′42″N
available Persian texts, the Charminar was constructed in the year 1591 coordinates 78°28′29″E
Charminar, Char Kaman and Gulzar CE, to commemorate the beginning of the second Islamic millennium Architecture
Houz, photographed by Lala Deen year (1000 AH). The event was celebrated far and wide in the Islamic
Architect(s) Mir Momin
Dayal in the 1880s world, thus Qutb Shah founded the city of Hyderabad to celebrate the
Astarabadi[1][2]
event and commemorate it with the construction of this building.[10]
[11]:17–19 Style Indo-Islamic
architecture
The construction began in 1589 and was completed in two years with a cost of Rs. 9 lakhs, which was around Founder Muhammad Quli
2 lakh huns/gold coins in those times. It is said to weigh around 14000 tonnes with a minimum of 30 feet Qutb Shah
deep foundation. In 1670, a minaret had fallen down after being struck by lightning. It was then repaired at a Specifications
cost of around Rs. 58000. In 1820, some part of it was renovated by Sikandar Jah at a cost of Rs. 2 lakh.
Height (max) 56 metres
The Charminar was constructed at the intersection of the historical trade route that connects the city to (184 ft)
international markets through the port city of Machilipatnam.[12]:195 The Old City of Hyderabad was Minaret(s) 4
designed with Charminar as its centrepiece.[13] The city was spread around the Charminar in four different Minaret height 48.7 metres
quadrants and chambers, segregated according to the established settlements. Towards the north of (160 ft)
Charminar is the Char Kaman, or four gateways, constructed in the cardinal direction.[10][12][14][15]:170 Materials granite,
Additional eminent architects from Persia were also invited to develop the city plan. The structure itself was limestone, mortar
intended to serve as a mosque and madrasa. It is of Indo-Islamic architecture style, incorporating Persian and pulverized
architectural elements. A sample of Charminar is said to have been created at Dabirpura/Nagaboli graveyard marble
before the actual construction.

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.[16]:4 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.[17]:3,12

Qutb Shah was also among the early poets of Dakhani Urdu. While laying the foundation of Charminar, he performed the prayers in Dakhini
couplets, which are recorded as follows:[16]:4[18]