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Charminar

 Charminar was built in 1591 A.D. When the foundation of the city was being laid, Sultan Mohammed Quli lave precerdence to the building of 11harminar. It is a Prototype of lazeyashape. The Charminar or the four minarets is magnificent square edifice built up on four granite arches facing North, South, East and West. This square edifice, is in the heart of city was constructed with plaster and stone. Its foundation corners lie exactly towards the four i:ardinal points each side measuring 60 IL length and 42 ft. in width. Its main building consists of four splendid arches one in each direction, measuring 24 by 40 ft. facing each, on four highways. Several stairs lead to the upper portion having four ininaretes (80 ft. high) each of which is again sub divided into four storeys and last upper place consists of one mosque a school and name of this building in Arabic was Ya Hatiz. This construction date will come out in this world, 1160 Hijri. The entire building was built of lime and stone full of fine decoration. The height of each minar from the ground level is 180 ft. It is a protected monument. A good scenery is visible when one climbs the Charminar top most storey of the Minaret. The suburbs can be seen from this place.

The Charminar is the pride of Hyderabad and is a significant mark of 'the land of Nizams'. This 'out of the world' piece of architecture standing in the heart of the city was built by Quli Qutub Shah, in 1591 and is often called as "The Arc de triomphe of the East". This majestic structure derives its name from four beautifully carved minarets. Each

of the four graceful minarets are 48.7m high, above the ground. This 400 years old monument is located amidst the colourful shops of Lad Bazaar.
The first floor of the monument was used as a madarasa (college) during the Qutub Shahi period and the second floor has a mosque on the western side. Charminar offers a spectacular view of the city from the roof. It also offers an excellent panoramic view Golconda Fort.
Just a glance of the monument takes you back into time and recaptures the glory of Hyderabad during the Qutub Shahi times. Charminar is definitely an inseparable part of the history of Hyderabad.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.