Charminar

Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah built the Charminar in 1591 at the intersection of the two principal roads of his new capital, a square structure of granite and lime stucco with four arches and four minarets of about fifty-six metres, giving it its name, four minarets. The upper floor holds a small mosque, among the oldest in the city, reached by a narrow spiral stair of nearly a hundred and fifty steps. It stands in the middle of a working old city, surrounded by the Laad Bazaar, the Mecca Masjid and dense market streets, and is lit at night. Restoration work and traffic pedestrianisation around it have been ongoing.

What you actually see

• The four arches - the square gateway at the old city crossroads.
• The upper mosque - a small prayer space on the top floor.
• The spiral stair - a narrow climb of nearly a hundred and fifty steps.
• The surrounding bazaar - dense market streets on every side.

When to go

October to March; Hyderabad summers are severe. Evenings when the monument is lit are the most atmospheric. Ramadan nights around the Charminar are a particular experience.

Honest expectations

The stair is narrow, steep and one-way, and can queue badly; the minarets themselves are closed. Crowds and traffic around the base are intense. Pickpocketing in the bazaar is a real risk.

Nearby

Laad Bazaar runs west; Mecca Masjid is adjacent.