Charminar is the most famous momument in the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Charminar was built by Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of Qutb Shahi dynasty. Charminar means “four towers” and it has derived its name from Persian/Hindi combination. Soon after the construction of Charminar the king shifted his kingdom from Golkonda to Hyderabad as the locality around Charminar was shining with Laad Bazaar, Mecca Masjid and as the hub of pearl.
Charminar is synonym for Hyderabad and its vital for the glory and the history of the city. Charminar is made up of granites, lime and puberised marbles. Years ago when it was constructed it was at the heart of the city. It has got 4 tall minarets each on the edge of a square monument and its located in between the cross junction of the roads. Eas side measures around 20 meters and the height of each minarets is 48.7 meters above the ground. Inside the minarets 149 round steps takes you to the top of the floor, the highest point one can reach and from this point you can have the panoramic view of the city.
Charminar looks beautiful and amazing in night also if its illuminated and this rare sight is seen during Ramzan festival and this is the time when you can have the heritage of Hyderabad at its best. A belief that there is a underground tunnel is connecting Golconda palace to Charminar, possibly made as an escape route for the Qutub Shahi rulers in case of emergency and no one doesn’t know the exact location of the tunnel until now.
Beside this great monument we have got beautiful and India’s one of the largest mosque called Mecca Masjid. Market around Charminar is known as Laad Bazaar and Pather Gatti and its has more than 14,000 shops in the market. Charminar itself is a famous spot and the market around it are favorites for all the tourists and local people for purchases like jewellery, bangles and pearls.
AP Tourism department is conducting walks every Sunday morning from 7AM from Charminar to Chowmahalla Palace by which you can explore the charm and rich heritage of Hyderabad. Its a two hours walk which takes you from Charminar to Mecca Masjid, Laad Bazaar, Jillu Khana Gate, Mehboob Chowk, Mehboo Chown mosque, Clock Tower in Secunderabad, Moti Mahal, Asman Jah Bahadur Dewdi, Shahi Khazana building, Aiwan-e-Ali and finally to Chowmahalla palace. There is an entry fee for this walk which is Rs 50 per head.
Replica of Charminar was built in the main crossing of Bahadurabad near Karachi by some Hyderabadi Muslims but it was much poor in quality of construction & decoration that it rarely got attention of the people.
