Charminar Facts and Information

19 Interesting facts about Charminar

1. Charminar , is one of the most magnificent structures located on the east bank of the River Musi , in the city of Hyderabad which is  in the state of Andhra Pradesh , India . It is similar in its significance to the Taj Mahal in Agra. The Charminar, is  a mosque and one of the most recognized structures in India .
2. It was built in the year 1591, by the 5^th ruler of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty, Emperor Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.
3. The city of Hyderabad was constructed along with the monument in the year 1591. The construction of the monument was completed in the year 1592.
4. Charminar in English means ‘Four Towers.’
5. Muhammad Shah shifted his capital from Golconda to the city we now call Hyderabad. This monument is believed to have been the very first structure built in the city.
6. There are various stories behind the construction of this monument.
7. Some are of the belief that it was built by Qutb Shah for his wife Bhagimathi.
8. Another legend has it that the Charminar, which is situated in the centre of the city, is believed to have been built to commemorate the eradication of plague, a disease  which had spread in the city and was actually the cause of widespread death and sorrow.
9. Qutb Shah had prayed for the end of the disease and had vowed in his prayers that he would build a mosque at the very place that he had prayed. The monument got its name from the four minarets which are said to honour the four caliphs of Islam.
10. This landmark monument was constructed to serve as a Mosque and a Madraasa.
11. The layout of the plan was done by Mir Momin Astarabadi , who was the prime minister of Qutb Shah.
12. The entire city of Hyderabad was designed around this beautiful monument.
13. Granite, limestone, pulverised marble and mortar were used in the construction of this monument and it is symbolic of typical Islamic architecture.
14. There is an unknown underground tunnel that Qutb Shah has said to have made as an escape route, which connected the Golconda Fort to the Charminar.
15. The structure is square with four grand imposing arches that open into the four streets, in four different directions.
16. There are four minarets that are crowned by bulbous domes, adorning the minarets. These minarets are built on the main structure, unlike the minarets of the Taj Mahal.
17. There are about 149 winding steps to reach the upper floor of the minarets, from where a person can get a breath taking view of the city of Hyderabad.
18. It is a four storied structure, with the mosque occupying the top floor of the monument at the western end facing Mecca, which is the holy city of the Muslims.
19. The mosque within the monument is the oldest in the city of Hyderabad and looks magnificent and spectacular when illuminated at night.

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