Charminar - the Heritage Monument of Hyderabad

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.

- Hilaire Belloc

Charminar is the most impressive monument of Hyderabad and a flamboyant piece of architecture. Charminar is the unique symbol and the most popular landmark of the city. It is located at the center of the old city.

OVERVIEW:

Charminar was built by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 in honour of his wife Bhagmati, shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golconda to Hyderabad. It is popular as the Arc de Triomphe of the East and considered as the legendary masterpiece of Qutub Shahi's.

ARCHITECTURE:

Charminar is in square shape with four towers in the four corners of the square, each side is 20 metres long. Every side opens into a plaza through giant arches, which overlook four major thoroughfares and dwarf other features of the building except the minarets. Each arch is 11 metres wide and rises 20 metres to the pinnacle from the plinth. The minarets soar skywards by 24 metres from the roof of Charminar. Each minaret has four storeys, each looking like a delicately carved ring around the minaret. From the ground to the apex, the minarets cover a length of 48.7 metres.

Inside Charminar

Inside the minarets 149 winding steps guide the visitor to the top floor, the highest point one can reach, which provides a panoramic view of the city. You can enjoy the passionate beauty of the Hyderabad city from this elevated height. You can get a bird's eye view of the city of Hyderabad from this elevation, which is quite a spectacular sight.

Central dome

A vault that appears from inside like a dome, supports two galleries within the Charminar, one over another, and above those a terrace that serves as a roof, 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.

SHOPPING AT CHARMINAR:

A thriving market still lies around the Charminar, attracting people and merchandise of every description. In its heyday, the Charminar market had some 14,000 shops; today the famous markets known as Laad Baazar and Pather Gatti, near the Charminar, are a favourite of both tourists and locals alike for jewellery, especially known for exquisite bangles and pearls respectively.

Long years back Charminar (Picture from Internet)

VISITING PLACES:

• Lad bazaar
• The Chow Mahalla palace
• Jamay masjid to the northeast of Charminar

SHOPPING GUIDE

Traditionally, Hyderbad is famous for its zardozi (silk thread and cord)embroidey work commonly found in the Charminar area. The city is also the hub for sarees that are brought in from nearby towns like Venkatagiri, Gadwal, Siddipet, Dharmavaram, Pochampalli and Narayanpet. Apart from these styles, Lambadi mirror-work made by the Lambadis or the Banjaras is also uniique to the city. If you're looking for thw traditional arts and crafts of Andhra Pradesh, check out the Kalamkari fabrics, Kondapalli toys, lacquered bangles, Bidri metal craft, and Nirmal arts, Basheerbagh, Abids and Nampally are the major shopping areas of the city. Begum Bazaar, one of the largest market places, is the favourite destinations for brassware, whereas Laad Bazaar is known for its quality diamonds, pearls, bangles and precious stones. One can also strol through the markets of Ameerpet, Himayatnagar, Somajiguda and Punjagutta.

It's me in front of Charminar

GETTING THERE?

• Hyderabad is well connected by air, rail and road to all major cities of the country and has direct international connections to many cities worldwide.
• You can get here by auto-ricshaw or taxi or local bus services. 
• You can take buses from the following areas to reach Charminar, which is rather an economical way to reach.
• From Secunderabad Railway Station: 1C, 2, 2C, 2V, 2Z, 8A, 8C, 8M, 8U and 57S.
• From Nampally Railway Station: 8M, 8R, 8U, 9, 9D, 9F, 9K, 9L, 9M, 9N, 9Q, 9R, 9X, 9Y/F, 41M, 65M and 65S.
• From Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station: 1C, 2, 2C, 2G, 2V and 2Z.

MY ITINERARY:

• Charminar is a must see if you are visiting Hyderabad.
• The monument overlook another beautiful and grand masjid called Mecca Masjid (or Makkah Masjid).
• Charminar is surrounded by markets and many other structures which adds to its grace.
• The structure of Charminar show both Indian and Mughal architectural styles.
• You can see good views of all over the old city from the top of the minarets.
• It boasts Chow Mohalla palace, Shahali Banda, Laad Bazar, Kali Kaman and Patthar Gatti and Mecca Masjid.