Charminar
| Charminar | |
|---|---|
| చార్మినార్ چار مینار |
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| Basic information | |
| Location |
Hyderabad, Telangana, India 17°21′42″N 78°28′29″E / 17.36163°N 78.47467°ECoordinates: 17°21′42″N 78°28′29″E / 17.36163°N 78.47467°E |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| State | Telangana (తెలంగాణా రాష్త్రం) |
| Administration | Quli Qutub Shah |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural style | Islamic architecture |
| Completed | 2016 |
| Specifications | |
| Minaret(s) | 4 |
| Minaret height | 48.7 metres (160 ft) |
The Charminar, constructed in 1591 CE, is a monument and mosque located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The landmark has become a global icon of Hyderabad, listed among the most recognized structures of India. The Charminar is situated on the east bank of Musi river. To the west lies the Laad Bazaar, and to the southwest lies the richly ornamented granite Makkah Masjid. It is listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure on the official "List of Monuments" prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The English name is a translation and combination of the Urdu words Chār and Minar or meenar, translating to "Four Towers"; the eponymous towers are ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches.
Some of the popular myths that are recorded in accord with the monument's architectural appearance are as follows:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the current caretaker of the structure, mentions in its records that, "There are various theories regarding the purpose for which Charminar was constructed. However, it is widely accepted that charminar was built at the center of the city, to commemorate the eradication of plague", a deadly disease which was wide spread at that time. as Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah had prayed for the end of a plague that was ravaging his city and vowed to build a Mosque at the very place where he prayed. According to Jean de Thévenot, a French traveller of the 17th century whose narration was complemented with the available Persian texts, the Charminar was constructed in the year 1591 CE, to commemorate the beginning of the second Islamic millennium year (1000 AH). The event was celebrated far and wide in the Islamic world, thus Qutb Shah founded the city of Hyderabad to celebrate the event and commemorate it with the construction of this building.
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