Hyderabad – Where Heritage Blends With Modernity
Hyderabad is one of the best cosmopolitan cities in India. The city can boast of being the most modern while still cherishing the magnitude of some ancient buildings and structures in their purest form within the city limits. There is Charminar – a 400-year monument with stunning architecture – right in the heart of the city. Then it has also sprawling IT parks and MNCs at the same time.
There is Ramoji Film City – spread across 2000 acres, the world’s biggest film studio with the most modern facilities on one side. And on the other side, there is the Golconda fort – a 13th-century wonder standing on a granite hill covering an area of 800 acres with a 7-kilometer circumference wall. And considering Hyderabad is one of the wealthy cities in India, no wonder that the famous Kohinoor diamond was produced from the mines in Golconda and kept in the Golconda fort.
Being one of the richest cities since ancient times, Hyderabad has seen many attacks and rebuilding of the city during the course of history. But despite all, this city is still royal and rich. A visit to even Hyderabad city alone looks enough to realize the rich heritage, glory, beauty, and affluence it possesses for centuries.
A City with Timeless Charm
Being one of the richest cities since ancient times, Hyderabad has seen many attacks and rebuilding of the city during the course of history. But despite all, this city is still royal and rich. A visit to even Hyderabad city alone looks enough to realize the rich heritage, glory, beauty, and affluence it possesses for centuries.
Charminar and Golconda – The Twin Icons
A trip to Hyderabad is incomplete without visiting Charminar and Golconda fort, which are a visual treat for everyone in their own uniqueness, apart from being historically important. Charminar for Hyderabad is as famous and important as Kohinoor for diamonds. It adorns the cityscape of Hyderabad as a crown, so much so that it seems that without Charminar, Hyderabad to be an incomplete city to many. Like the saying Small is beautiful, Charminar, with its small size, looks incredibly beautiful in the scheme of tourist attractions across this city. The location is one of the favorites for not only tourists but also for many who visit the town for many other purposes since it is within the town limit and does not need much time to make a quick visit. With the presence of locals too thronging here for some quality time with their families, Charminar always looks crowded.
Historical Significance of Charminar
This was built in 1591 by the 5th king of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty as a symbolic commemoration of the successful eradication of a devastating plague in the city region. This also happened to be at a time he was shifting his capital from Golconda to Hyderabad.
Charminar, with the literal meaning of four minarets or four pillars, is situated in the heart of Hyderabad city of west central Telangana state and is easily accessible through bus, auto, etc. The city can boast of as the capital of both states, namely Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, as well as the capital of the princely state of ancient Hyderabad. Historically, both Golconda and Charminar are linked too, as this has been the first building constructed in the city after shifting the capital of the state from Golconda to Hyderabad centuries ago.
Architectural Design and Charming Beauty of Charminar
Square in shape, having a length of 20mts approximately, with four arches at the four cardinal directions and minarets or circular towers at four corners, is what Charminar is for anyone to see. Each minaret has a four-story height with beautifully carved circular stairs to access these floors. Visitors have access to the first floor only, from where a bird’s eye view of the city is visible. The mosque is situated on the fourth floor. One may feel, while stepping into the interiors, that the tiny structure of Charminar consists of a lot of mysteries and secrets at different places and locations within.
Construction and Interior of Charminar
Constructed with granite, marble, and limestone, every four arches open to four streets, which are royal streets of rulers, then like four majestic gateways. The arches and minarets consist of various designs to enhance the beauty of Charminar. Using pulverized marble stucco, there are plenty of patterns from top to bottom that are incredibly designed for Architectural excellence. The patterns are of floral, different designs of niches, carved medallions, attractive flora ceiling, and ambrosial vases in between the arches, as per the details displayed there with figures of patterns too.
Inscriptions and Historical Details Inside
As per inscriptions on a display stone inside, Charminar is constructed as one of the earliest edifices raised in the new city of Hyderabad on the commencement of the Islamic second millennium. It also states that the date is astronomically important. The interior walls have many photos showing details about the kingdom, the whole structure, and the design, based on which the structure is aesthetically beautified.
View From Top
The narrow stairways, circular and straight, look amusing and take us to the top. The view from the top in all directions is awesome, which includes a mosque in South West direction. The sight of countless pigeons flocking and soaring into the sky with their wings spread wide in different directions makes a visit to the Charminar truly memorable.
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