Charminar

Charminar
Religion
AffiliationShia Islam
DistrictHyderabad district
Year consecrated1591 (433 years ago) (1591)
Location
LocationOld City of Hyderabad, Telangana, India
MunicipalityGHMC
StateTelangana
Charminar is located in Hyderabad
Charminar
Shown within Hyderabad
Charminar is located in India
Charminar
Charminar (India)
AdministrationGovernment of Telangana
Geographic coordinates17°21′42″N 78°28′29″E / 17.36163°N 78.47467°E / 17.36163; 78.47467
Architecture
Architect(s)Mir Momin Astarabadi[1][2]
StyleIndo-Islamic architecture
FounderMuhammad Quli Qutb Shah
Specifications
Height (max)56 metres (184 ft)
Minaret(s)4
Minaret height48.7 metres (160 ft)
Materialsgranite, limestone, mortar and pulverized marble

The Charminar (lit.'four minarets') is a monument located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Constructed in 1591, the landmark is a symbol of Hyderabad and officially incorporated in the emblem of Telangana.[3] The Charminar's long history includes the existence of a mosque on its top floor for more than 425 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,[4] as it is adjacent to the city's main mosque, the Makkah Masjid.

The Charminar is situated on the east bank of Musi River.[5] To the west lies the Laad Bazaar, and to the southwest the richly ornamented Makkah Masjid.[6] It is listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure on the official list of monuments prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India.[7] The English name is a translation and combination of the Urdu words chār and minar, translating to "Four Pillars"; the towers are ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches.[6]

  1. ^ Khan, Asif Yar (18 June 2013). "Here sleeps the earliest urban planner". The Hindu.
  2. ^ "Remembering the man behind Charminar's architecture". thehansindia.com. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Kakatiya arch, Charminar in Telangana state logo". The Deccan Chronicle. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Charminar Hyderabad Tourism". simplefoodreviews.com. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  5. ^ Charminar at the Encyclopædia Britannica
  6. ^ a b "Charminar: Hyderabad". Britannica Compton's Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Alphabetical List of Monuments - Telangana". holidify.com. Telangana Tourism. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2015.