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The Charminar
Charminar is an inseparable part of the living legend of Hyderabad. In fact Hyderabad and the Charminar has become symbolic of each other.
The majestic monument of Charminar also called as the Arc de Triomphe of the east was built as the legend goes by Quli Qutub Shah in the honor of his Hindu wife Bagmati built between 1501 and 1612 this imposing structure is one of the finest gifts of the Qutub Sahi architecture and presenting a harmonious blend of indo – Islamic style of architecture. The Charminar was built as an unusual gateway to the newly developed city of Hyderabad in the late 16th century. at the juncture of four great roads fanning out in four directions placing it at the center of the city of Hyderabad.
The 400 years old structure is built with granite, lime, mortar. The Charminar is a squarish structure with its four towers facing all the four directions, each measuring 20 meters in length. Charminar gets its name from its four gracefully carved minarets literally called Char (four), Minar (pillars) which opens up in the four directions through huge arches 11 meters wide and 20 meters high. The minerates taper off with bulbous dome embellished in petal like motifs, and crowned by a brass spire. Inside the structure there are 149 steps leading to the top or roof of the Charminar. In the year each archway got a clock added to it. From the ground to the apex the minars cover a height of 56 meters.
The first floor was used as a madarsa and a mosque during qutub shah’s time from where royal proclamations were read out. Atop there are 45 open air prayer spaces to accommodate more people for the Friday prayer to the east of this lies a big verandah with large open arches at the center flanked by smaller ones on the sides. There is a water tank in the center. From the balcony at the first floor of the minars one can have a splendid look of the old city.
In the vicinity of the Charminar one can locate the famous Lad bazaar and other market places where one can find the famous Hyderabadi pearls, bangles, bridal wares, carpets etc. The Charminar gives a totally different look when lit in the nights, a must watch sight for everyone. The arch is illuminated every evening from 7 pm - 9 pm. The Charminar remains open from 9 am till 5 pm from Monday till Saturday. On Sunday it is closed.
The history of Hyderabad has strong association with the charminar, which according to some was built to mark the end of epidemic of plague in the city during the sultan’s time. One cannot stop being amazed once when come across such fascinating facts and such marvelous structures.