By srikanthlekkala11@gmail.com History of Charminar is one of the most famous monuments in Hyderabad. It was built in 1591 by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah. The monument has a square shape with four tall pillars and beautiful carvings. Many people believe it was built in honour of his wife, Bhagmati, but the exact reason for its construction is still debated.
One popular belief says that Charminar was built to celebrate the end of a deadly plague that once spread across the city. It is believed that the Sultan prayed for his people’s safety, and when the plague ended, he built Charminar as a mark of gratitude to Allah. The four minarets are also believed to represent the first four caliphs of Islam.
Another belief suggests that Charminar was built in memory of Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law, who died in the Battle of Karbala. Some historians say its design resembles Shia Tazias, which are used in religious processions. There is also a story that the monument stands at the place where the Sultan first saw his future wife, Bhagmati.
A different explanation comes from a 17th-century French traveller, Jean de Thévenot. According to him and old Persian records, Charminar was built to mark the beginning of the second Islamic millennium.
The inscription on its foundation stone translates to a prayer asking God to fill the city with people, just as rivers are filled with fish. This suggests that Charminar may have also been built to mark the foundation of Hyderabad. Historian Mohammed Safiullah believed that Charminar was designed as the central point of the city.
Construction of Charminar began in 1589 and was completed in two years. It cost about Rs. 9 lakhs at that time, which was equal to nearly two lakh gold coins. The monument weighs around 14,000 tonnes and has a deep foundation of nearly 30 feet. In 1670, one minaret was damaged by lightning and later repaired. Renovation work was also carried out in 1820 during the rule of Sikandar Jah.
There is also a popular legend that a secret underground tunnel once connected Charminar to Golconda Fort. It was believed to be an escape route for the royal family during emergencies. However, no such tunnel has been discovered till today.
History of Charminar (Architecture)
Charminar was designed by an Iranian architect named Mir Momin Astarabadi, who later settled in Hyderabad. The monument is a strong and grand structure that has survived for centuries, showing the excellent craftsmanship of its time.
Charminar has a square shape with four tall minarets, one at each corner. Its architectural style is believed to be inspired by Shia tazias, which are built in memory of Hussain, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, who died in the Battle of Karbala.
Each side of Charminar measures about 20 meters in length. The arches on every side are around 11 meters wide and open towards the four main roads of the city. The monument was constructed using granite and lime mortar, which has helped it remain strong and well preserved over the years.