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.

History

Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, built the Charminar after moving his capital from Golconda to the new city of Hyderabad; begun in 1589 and finished in two years, it is widely held to commemorate the end of a plague. It stood at the crossing of the trade route to the port of Machilipatnam, with the old city laid out around it in four quadrants, and it remained the tallest structure in Hyderabad until 1987; in 1670 a minaret fell after being struck by lightning and was repaired (Wikipedia, Charminar).

What to look for

• 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.

Practical notes

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.

Key facts