Story:Charminar ; 11-7-2021;
• The Charminar officially incorporated as the Emblem of Telangana for the state of Telangana.
Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah the 5th Sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golkonda who founded the city of Hyderabad, in South-central India and built its architectural centerpiece, the Charminar and Makkah Masjid. His reign is considered one of the high points of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. He ascended to the throne in 1580 at the age of 15 and ruled for 31 years.
Charminar built in 1591 AD, is a landmark monument located in Hyderabad, India. The two words Char Minar of Urdu language are combined to which it is known as Charminar (English: Four Towers). These are four ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches, it has become the global icon of Hyderabad and is listed among the most recognized structures of India.
• The English name is a translation and combination of the Urdu words chār and minar or meenar, translating to "Four Pillars";
The Charminar is situated on the east bank of Musi river. The Charminar is on the east bank of Musi river. To the northeast lies the Laad Bazaar and in the west end lies the granite-made richly ornamented Macca Masjid.
The structure is made of granite, limestone, mortar and pulverised marble. Initially the monument with its four arches was so proportionately planned that when the fort was opened one could catch a glimpse of the bustling Hyderabad city as these Charminar arches were facing the most active royal ancestral streets.
The Charminar is a square edifice with each side 20 meters (approximately 66 feet) long, with four grand arches each facing a cardinal point that open into four streets .
At each corner stands an exquisitely shaped minaret, 56 meters (approximately 184 feet) high with a double balcony. Each minaret is crowned by a bulbous dome with dainty petal like designs at the base.
The landmark has become known globally as a symbol of Hyderabad and is listed among the most recognised structures in India.
There is a legend of an underground tunnel connecting the Golkonda to Charminar, possibly intended as an escape route for the Qutb Shahi rulers in case of a siege, though the location of the tunnel is unknown.
The Charminar's long history includes the existence of a mosque on its top floor for more than 400 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.
It is listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure on the official "List of Monuments" prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India.