CHARMINAR

HYDERABAD , TELANGANA , INDIA

HISTORY
The fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Muhammad Quli
Qutb Shah, built the Charminar in 1591 after shifting his
capital from Golkonda to the newly formed city of
Hyderabad.

The fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Muhammad Quli

Qutb Shah, built the Charminar in 1591 after shifting his
capital from Golkonda to the newly formed city of Hyderabad

The city was spread around the Charminar in

four different quadrants and chambers,
segregated according to the established
settlements. Towards the north of Charminar is
the Char Kaman, or four gateways, constructed
in the cardinal direction

 
Additional eminent architects from Persia were also invited to develop the city plan. The structure
itself was intended to serve as a mosque and madrasa. It is of Indo-Islamic architecture style,
incorporating Persian architectural elements. A sample of Charminar is said to have been created at
Dabirpura/Nagaboli graveyard before the actual construction
Marking the shifting of the capital from Golconda to
Hyderabad, the reasons for its construction are varied. The
most consistent accord is that the inadequacy of water and
plague (or cholera, which was widely prevalent at the time)
forced Quli Qutb Shah to construct a new city. Designed by Mir
Momin Astrabadi, its construction also coincided with the
millennium of the Islamic calendar — 1000 Hijri. Space was
created for 14,000 shops to surround the monument and as the
city grew it was surrounded by labyrinthal lanes on all sides

STRUCTURE The Charminar masjid is a square structure

CLOCK OF THE with each side being 20 meters (approximately
CHARMINAR -(INSTALLED 66 feet) long. Each of the four sides has one of
BY THE 6thNIZAM MIR four grand arches, each facing a fundamental
point that opens directly onto the street in front
MAHBUB ALI KHAN
of it. At each corner stands an exquisitely
shaped, 56 meter-high (approximately 184 feet)
minaret, with a double balcony. Each minaret is
crowned by a bulbous dome with dainty,
A MINARET petal-like designs at the base. Unlike the
minarets of Taj Mahal, Charminar's four fluted
minarets are built into the main structure. There
are 149 winding steps to reach the upper floor.
The structure is also known for its profusion of
INTERIOR DETAILS stucco decorations and the arrangement of
balustrades and balconies
CONSERVATION OF CHARMINAR

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had taken up the conservation of the four towering minars of the ancient
monument in the heart of the Old City of Hyderabad last year after cracks, patches and cavities developed in
the four minars of this architectural adornment to the city.

The Charminar has been showing these signs of wear and tear due to the ageing process and nature.

Though this insidious damage is not visible to those standing on the road, or looking at it from a distance,
conservationists warn if repairs were not carried out immediately, it could cause harm to the structure in the
future.

“Externally, cracks have developed at various places. Also, air pollution due to emission of carbon dioxide from
vehicles is causing external damage and blackening the structure. There was also damage to stucco works,
floral motifs and other designs which have been repaired by experts.
“We used lime, plaster, sand, jaggery, gallnut, eggs, and marble powder to repair the damage”.

The conservation work is being done under the supervision of N. Taher, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI.

The Charminar was built by Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, who was also
the founder of Hyderabad city in Hijri 1000 (AD 1591-1592).

The Charminar is a square structure measuring 31.95 metres on each side with imposing arches spanning a
distance of 11 metres. Four minarets rise to a height of 56 metres. The spiral staircase inside the minarets has
149 steps leading to the top with 12 landings.

This imposing building is known for its stucco decorations and impressive arrangement of balustrades and
balconies. The floral designs are varied and delicately executed, a synthesis of Mughal and Hindu architecture,
according to ASI.

Currently, ASI is facing a huge problem with selfie-obsessed youngsters trying to take snaps standing on
balconies. To prevent accidents, it has put up barricades at vantage points and posted guards to warn youth
against trying to pose dangerously for selfies. “At present we have restricted entry up to the first floor since
repairs are on”.
 LAND ACQUISITION HITS
PEDESTRIANISATION PROJECT

Acquisition of land has become a major hurdle for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in the
implementation of the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project. For the project to succeed, widening of the two ring
roads around the Charminar is vital.

The project-specific outer ring road is 5.4 km while the inner ring road is 2.3 km. For this, the GHMC has
identified 30 private properties for acquisition, but the owners are adamant that the compensation offered for
their property is meagre.

They are demanding a much higher compensation from the government. Officials say that the property owners
are demanding Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore. They said if the owners won’t come forward to give their properties of
their own free will, the government will have to invoke the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act

The state government has sanctioned Rs 35 crore for the project, which, when implemented, will see the
precincts, in a radius of 220 metres, of the historic monument becoming free of vehicular traffic
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