Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh is one of the most ancient cities of India. And at the heart of the city lies the Char Minar. The Char Minar is to Hyderabad what the Taj Mahal is to Agra. It has history, legacy, architectural appeal and oodles of mythic romanticism. The monument was built in 1591 by the emperor Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah when he shifted his capital from the nearby Golkonda Fort to the city of Hyderabad.
The primary structure of the Char Minar is built in granite, with generous dozes of mortar, lime and even powdered marble. The structure has four giant towers, each on a corner. The length of the towers is 20 meters from the ground. The towers are joined by colossal arches, 11 meters wide and 20 meters from the plinth to the pinnacle. There are four minarets on top of the towers, that go another 24 meters from the roof of the building.
The four minarets are divided into four storeys each. From a distance, they look like rings on the bodies of the minarets. The building may look like a composite structure, built to stand the test of times. However, the closer you get to the building, the more you realize the artistic splendor and the intricate mastery ingrained in the structure. You cannot miss the romantic appeal of the Char Minar, though it’s not a love tribute like the Taj Mahal.
You can call the Char Minar a dedication to the meditative and spiritual grandeur of Islam. The western side of the Minar houses the oldest mosque in Hyderabad. The monument also has some 45 prayer rooms on the top. This was arranged so that the devout may pray in peace, elevated from the bustle of the city beneath. If you are one for scenic beauty, a view of the city and its modern avatar from one of these ‘minars’ could be what you want for your sore eyes.
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Charminar is an important landmark
in the city of Hyderabad. The monument is synonymous to the city as well as to its glorious historical past. It was erected, when Quli Qutb Shah shifted his capital from Golconda to the present city of Hyderabad.