The charm of the Charminar is unparalleled that will never fade. The sheer artistic brilliance embodied in the monument is one of Hyderabad's claims to fame. The marvelous structure, standing on four pillars, in Hyderabad is an architectural marvel of the past, which combines art with religious themes.
Charminar is one of the seven wonders of Hyderabad and is one of the most famous tourist attractions and is visited by international as well as national tourists. It is a glorious representation of the history of Hyderabad and stands erect till date, narrating the story of the illustrious past of this historical city, once the seat of the Nizam. This marvelous piece of architecture is made of granite, mortar, limestone and powdered marble which has enabled it to stand strong though the years. Hyderabad is almost synonymous to Charminar. It is a blend of architectural splendor with aesthetics and is the embodiment of elegance and romance. It is an unparalleled structure that makes Hyderabad famous all over the world.
The Charminar in Hyderabad was constructed in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah. He built the Charminar to mark the end of plague in the Hyderabad city. Since the construction of the Charminar, the Hyderabad city has almost become synonymous with the monument. The Charminar is a massive and impressive structure with four minarets. In the evening, with illumination, the great Charminar looks even greater. With the passage of time the Charminar occupied so much importance that it became the heart of all bustling activities. It is in the bustling bazaars around the Charminar that you find the traditional nahari stalls and kulchas of Hyderabad. Hyderabad is one of those few cities, which have a fine blend of modernity and tradition.
The Charminar has four imposing arches, which face the four main directions. A row of small vaulted niches ornament each of the four arches. The Char Minar is a two-storied building with the first floor being covered. The balconies on this floor provide a great view of the surrounding areas. A small mosque adorns the top floor of the Charminar. This mosque is situated on the western side of the Charminar facing Mecca, the holy city of the Muslims. This mosque is said to be the oldest surviving mosque in Hyderabad city. Charminar, the hub of Hyderabad city, has four wide roads going in each direction. The Charminar is square in shape, each side measuring 100 feet, with a central pointed high arch at the center.
The four minarets of the Charminar dominate the landscape of the region. The minarets, their domed finials rising from their lotus-leaves cushion, rise to 180 feet from the ground. The whole structure contains various small and ornamental arches arranged in vertical and horizontal fashion. The cornice on the first floor upholds a series of six arches and capitals on each portico, rising to the double-story gallery of the minarets. The projected canopy, decorative brackets and decoration in stucco plaster add graceful elegance to the Charminar. On the upper courtyard, a screen of arches topped by a row of square jalis or water screens provides a delicate charm to the muscular look of the Charminar.
Charminar is a beautiful and impressive square monument. Each side measures 20 m, and each of the corners has a tall, pointed minaret. These four gracefully carved minarets soar to a height of 48.7 m above the ground, commanding the landscape for miles around. Each minaret has four stories, marked by a delicately carved ring around the minaret. Unlike the Taj Mahal, Charminar's four fluted minarets of Charminar are built into the main structure. 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.
The actual mosque occupies the top floor of the four-storey structure. Madame Blavatsky reports that each of the floors was meant for a separate branch of learning - before the structure was transformed by the Imperial British administration into a warehouse for opium and liqueurs.
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.
It is said that, during the Mughal Governorship between Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi rule, the south western minaret "fell to pieces" after being struck by lightning, but "was forthwith repaired" at a cost of Rs 60,000. In 1824, the monument was replastered at a cost of Rs 100,000.
The monument overlooks another beautiful and grand mosque called Makkah Masjid. The area surrounding Charminar is also known by same name. 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.
In 2007, Hyderabadi Muslims living in Pakistan constructed a small-scaled quasi replica of the Charminar at the main crossing of the Bahadurabad neighborhood in Karachi.[10] The "replica"'s poor quality of construction, decoration, lack of proportions, however, are all at a stark contrast to the grandeur, beauty and proportionality of the ancient original in Hyderabad. It stands as a telltale of the general decline in Islamic art, architecture and fortunes in the past few centuries.
An artistic monument of Charminar made of 50 Kilograms of Chocolate and 3 days of labor, was on display at The Westin, Hyderabad, India. Lindt chocolatier Adelbert Boucher created the scaled model of Charminar which was on display on September 25 and 26, 2010.
* The mosque became popular as Charminar because of its four minarets.
* The four minarets of Charminar are said to honor the first four khalifas of Islam.
* The mosque actually occupies the top most floor of the monument.
* Charminar is a four - storied structure.
* As per a popular legend, an underground tunnel connects the palace at Golconda to Charminar, in order to provide the Qutb Shahi royal family an escape route in case of a siege. However, the exact location of the tunnel is unknown.
* Charminar is an impressive square monument.
* Each side of the monument measure 20 m and each corner has a tall pointed minaret.
* The height of each minaret is 48.7 m above the ground.
* Each minaret of Charminar has four stories and is marked by carved ring.
* Each minaret encloses 149 flights of steps, which take the visitors to the top floor.
* Each side of the Minar has a giant arch, which is 11 m wide and 20 m high, measuring from the summit to the plinth.
* Each arch also has a clock, which was installed in 1889.
* Built with granite and lime mortar, Charminar is a fine example of the Cazia style of architecture.
* There are two galleries within Charminar, one over another.
* Above the two galleries, there is a terrace, which acts like a roof along with a stone balcony.
* The main gallery of the Minar has 45 covered prayer spaces. Just in front, there is a large open space to accommodate more people for prayers on Fridays.
* Charminar is famous for its intricate carvings and moldings.
Charminar is one of the seven wonders of Hyderabad and is one of the most famous tourist attractions and is visited by international as well as national tourists. It is a glorious representation of the history of Hyderabad and stands erect till date, narrating the story of the illustrious past of this historical city, once the seat of the Nizam. This marvelous piece of architecture is made of granite, mortar, limestone and powdered marble which has enabled it to stand strong though the years. Hyderabad is almost synonymous to Charminar. It is a blend of architectural splendor with aesthetics and is the embodiment of elegance and romance. It is an unparalleled structure that makes Hyderabad famous all over the world.
The Charminar in Hyderabad was constructed in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah. He built the Charminar to mark the end of plague in the Hyderabad city. Since the construction of the Charminar, the Hyderabad city has almost become synonymous with the monument. The Charminar is a massive and impressive structure with four minarets. In the evening, with illumination, the great Charminar looks even greater. With the passage of time the Charminar occupied so much importance that it became the heart of all bustling activities. It is in the bustling bazaars around the Charminar that you find the traditional nahari stalls and kulchas of Hyderabad. Hyderabad is one of those few cities, which have a fine blend of modernity and tradition.
The Charminar has four imposing arches, which face the four main directions. A row of small vaulted niches ornament each of the four arches. The Char Minar is a two-storied building with the first floor being covered. The balconies on this floor provide a great view of the surrounding areas. A small mosque adorns the top floor of the Charminar. This mosque is situated on the western side of the Charminar facing Mecca, the holy city of the Muslims. This mosque is said to be the oldest surviving mosque in Hyderabad city. Charminar, the hub of Hyderabad city, has four wide roads going in each direction. The Charminar is square in shape, each side measuring 100 feet, with a central pointed high arch at the center.
The four minarets of the Charminar dominate the landscape of the region. The minarets, their domed finials rising from their lotus-leaves cushion, rise to 180 feet from the ground. The whole structure contains various small and ornamental arches arranged in vertical and horizontal fashion. The cornice on the first floor upholds a series of six arches and capitals on each portico, rising to the double-story gallery of the minarets. The projected canopy, decorative brackets and decoration in stucco plaster add graceful elegance to the Charminar. On the upper courtyard, a screen of arches topped by a row of square jalis or water screens provides a delicate charm to the muscular look of the Charminar.
The Story Behind the Construction of Charminar
This architectural brilliance was erected during the reign of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591. He had shifted his capital from Golconda to Hyderabad and this monument was built to commemorate this decision and the eradication of plague from the city. The structure came to be known as Charminar since it is supported by the four minarets on the four sides. There is also a mosque at the last storey of the monument.
This architectural brilliance was erected during the reign of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591. He had shifted his capital from Golconda to Hyderabad and this monument was built to commemorate this decision and the eradication of plague from the city. The structure came to be known as Charminar since it is supported by the four minarets on the four sides. There is also a mosque at the last storey of the monument.
Construction of Charminar
Charminar has the signature style of Islamic architecture. This great tribute to aesthetics looks sturdy and solid from a distance but as one moves closer, it emerges as an elegant and romantic edifice proclaiming its architectural eminence in all its detail and dignity. Charminar looks equally spectacular at night when it is illuminated. Apart from being the core of the city’s cultural milieu, it has become a brand name.
Charminar has the signature style of Islamic architecture. This great tribute to aesthetics looks sturdy and solid from a distance but as one moves closer, it emerges as an elegant and romantic edifice proclaiming its architectural eminence in all its detail and dignity. Charminar looks equally spectacular at night when it is illuminated. Apart from being the core of the city’s cultural milieu, it has become a brand name.
Charminar is a beautiful and impressive square monument. Each side measures 20 m, and each of the corners has a tall, pointed minaret. These four gracefully carved minarets soar to a height of 48.7 m above the ground, commanding the landscape for miles around. Each minaret has four stories, marked by a delicately carved ring around the minaret. Unlike the Taj Mahal, Charminar's four fluted minarets of Charminar are built into the main structure. 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.
The actual mosque occupies the top floor of the four-storey structure. Madame Blavatsky reports that each of the floors was meant for a separate branch of learning - before the structure was transformed by the Imperial British administration into a warehouse for opium and liqueurs.
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.
It is said that, during the Mughal Governorship between Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi rule, the south western minaret "fell to pieces" after being struck by lightning, but "was forthwith repaired" at a cost of Rs 60,000. In 1824, the monument was replastered at a cost of Rs 100,000.
The monument overlooks another beautiful and grand mosque called Makkah Masjid. The area surrounding Charminar is also known by same name. 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.
In 2007, Hyderabadi Muslims living in Pakistan constructed a small-scaled quasi replica of the Charminar at the main crossing of the Bahadurabad neighborhood in Karachi.[10] The "replica"'s poor quality of construction, decoration, lack of proportions, however, are all at a stark contrast to the grandeur, beauty and proportionality of the ancient original in Hyderabad. It stands as a telltale of the general decline in Islamic art, architecture and fortunes in the past few centuries.
An artistic monument of Charminar made of 50 Kilograms of Chocolate and 3 days of labor, was on display at The Westin, Hyderabad, India. Lindt chocolatier Adelbert Boucher created the scaled model of Charminar which was on display on September 25 and 26, 2010.
Interesting & Fun Facts about Charminar
* Charminar was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591.
* It is believed that Charminar was built to honor a promise Quli Qutb Shah made to Allah.* Charminar was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591.
* The mosque became popular as Charminar because of its four minarets.
* The four minarets of Charminar are said to honor the first four khalifas of Islam.
* The mosque actually occupies the top most floor of the monument.
* Charminar is a four - storied structure.
* As per a popular legend, an underground tunnel connects the palace at Golconda to Charminar, in order to provide the Qutb Shahi royal family an escape route in case of a siege. However, the exact location of the tunnel is unknown.
* Charminar is an impressive square monument.
* Each side of the monument measure 20 m and each corner has a tall pointed minaret.
* The height of each minaret is 48.7 m above the ground.
* Each minaret of Charminar has four stories and is marked by carved ring.
* Each minaret encloses 149 flights of steps, which take the visitors to the top floor.
* Each side of the Minar has a giant arch, which is 11 m wide and 20 m high, measuring from the summit to the plinth.
* Each arch also has a clock, which was installed in 1889.
* Built with granite and lime mortar, Charminar is a fine example of the Cazia style of architecture.
* There are two galleries within Charminar, one over another.
* Above the two galleries, there is a terrace, which acts like a roof along with a stone balcony.
* The main gallery of the Minar has 45 covered prayer spaces. Just in front, there is a large open space to accommodate more people for prayers on Fridays.
* Charminar is famous for its intricate carvings and moldings.
Posted in: Articles and Essays,History,Monuments
0 comments:
Post a Comment