This scintillating monument, the Charminar, is the identity of the Hyderabad City of Telangana, India. It’s not only the pride of Hyderabad but an icon for the city in the whole country. Musi River passes near the monument and Charminar surrounds two more significant places near it- the Makkah Masjid and the Laad Bazaar.
Let’s have some more info…
History of Charminar-
1591 AD was the year when the Charminar was constructed by Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.The purpose of the construction is believed to be marking the end of cholera, which was widespread during those years.
Charminar–Image Source-Wikipedia.org
The architecture of Charminar-
The construction of the Charminar is in the form of a square base having side 20 meters (66 feet) and each corner having a tall minaret of height 56 meters (approx. 184 feet) with double balconies. These minarets have an onion-shaped dome at their tops with floral designs at the base.
The monument affiliates to the Islamic Religion and belongs to the Indo-Islamic architecture. The architect of the Charminar was Mir Momin Astarawadi. More architects from Persia came to design the royal city.
The four sides of the Charminar have one grand arch or gate that face one particular point on the most active ancestral streets of the Hyderabad city.
The materials used in the construction of the monument are granite, limestone, mortar, and pulverized marble. The unique blend of these materials gives this monument its real beauty.
The monument is a four-storey structure having a 400 years old mosque on the western end of the top floor or the open roof. There are 149 steps to reach the top floor of the monument. The remaining area of the roof served as a royal court during the Qutb Shahi times.
The clocks on walls, added in 1889 adds to the architectural features of the monument. The main purpose of the Charminar is to serve as a place to clean hands and legs before the prayers with water from the water cistern present there.
Places Around Charminar-
Laad Bazaar-
Lad Bazaar is located near the Charminar, stretches up to 1 kilometer and is the main shopping destination near the monument, having around 14 thousand shops during the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. Its main popular name is the Charminar market and houses shops of bangles, jewelry, silk, oils, spices, etc.
Lad Bazaar–Image Source-Wikimedia.org
Char Kaman and Gulzar Houz-
Charminar Kaman, Machli Kaman, Seher-e-Batil Ki Kaman, and Kali Kaman are the four arches located near the Charminar, about 75 feet away towards the North. These four arches are known as the Char Kamaan and were built in 1592. Gulzar Houz is a fountain present at the center of the arches.
Char Kaman– Image Source- Wikimedia.org
Makkah Masjid-
Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah ordered the bricks for the central arch of this masjid to be built from the soil of the holiest Islamic site, Mecca. Hence, this masjid is known as the Makkah Masjid. This masjid takes a place in the panoramic view of places nearby Charminar.
Makkah Masjid night view– Image Source- Wikimedia.org
Also Read-
How to Reach Charminar-
- From Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, the place is around 24 km away and can be reached within an hour through a taxi.
- From Railway Station of Nehru Nagar, Kachiguada, the place is around 5 km away and can be covered within half an hour on a busy road on normal days.
- Satyanagar Bus Stand is around 10.5 km away from Charminar and the distance can be covered within 45 minutes on a normal day.
- The nearest Metro Station to Charminar is Salarjung Museum Metro Station, at a distance of about 1 km. People can reach Charminar by metro from different parts of the city.
Hotels and Restaurants Nearby-
There are various cafes and restaurants nearby the monument, some of these are Nirmah Cafe and Bakery, Iqbal Restaurant, Standard Caterers and Charminar Restaurants. You can have veg and non-veg food at these restaurants. The main and special food of Hyderabad is the Hyderabadi Biryani, so do try it at these restaurants.
Some of the Hotels to stay that lie nearby Charminar are Hotel Nizam, Hotel Fouzan and Ambica Hotel. All these are moderate hotels that fit to the budget of visitors.
Timings of Char Minar-
The Archaeological Survey of India is the present caretaker of the monument and the timings are almost similar to other ASI Monuments i.e. from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. The place is open on all days of the week and hosts special prayers on Fridays according to the Islamic religion.
Entry Fee-
- The entry fee for Indian visitors to the Charminar is INR 20.
- For BIMSTEC and SAARC visitors the ticket is also same as that for Indian visitors, i.e. INR 20.
- For other Foreigner Visitors, the entry fee is INR 250.
- No Entry Ticket is charged to the visitors of age less than 15 years.
- There are no extra charges for carrying cameras and videorecorders.
Travel Tip-
This place is a must-visit spot if anyone goes to Hyderabad or any nearby areas. Moreover, the night view of the Charminar is more soothing and charming, when the monument is lighted up with colorful lights, to which adds the charm of the Lad Bazaar and the nearby areas. It usually takes 2 hours to visit and explore Charminar and its nearby attractions and one should avoid going on Fridays as a lot of crowd is present there for prayers. The place is both historically and religiously significant and is best suitable to visit with family and friends. It is one of the destinations for photographers to have some awesome clicks. So, do visit the place…
Charminar night view–Image Source–Wikimedia.org
Quick Summary-
| Built BY– | Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah |
| Constructed in Year- | 1591 AD |
| Address- | Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002. |
| Timings- | 9:30 am to 5:30 pm |
| Tickets- | Indians- INR 20, Foreigners- INR 250 |
| Special Fact- | A 400 years old mosque on the western end of the top floor |