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| The Charminar |  The charminar Hyderabad's best known landmark was built 1591 by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah to appease the force of evil savaging his new city with epidemic and plague. Standing in the heart of the old walled city and surround by lively bazaars, the charminar ('four tower') is a 56m high triumphal arch. The arch is notable for its elegant balconies, stucco decorations and the small mosque, Hyderabad's oldest, on the 2nd floor. An image of the grace every packet of charminar cigarettes, one of India's most popular brand. There are good views over the old city from the top of the minarets. Charminar, the hub of the city, has four wide roads radiating in the four cardinal directions. The four minarets command the landscape for miles. The structure is square, each side measuring 100 feet, with a central pointed high arch at the center. The whole edifice contains numerous small decorative arches arranged both vertically and horizontally. |
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On the
upper courtyard, a screen of arches topped by a row of square jall or water
screens lends a fragile charm to the sturdy appearance of charminar. This
courtyard was used as a school and for prayers at the mosque. An underground
path is believed to connect armine with the Golconda fort. The
minarets, their domed finials rising from their lotus-leaves cushion, rise to
180 feet from the ground. An interesting 17th-century description of the
monument comes from Thevenot: “That which is called the four towers, is a
square building, of which each face is ten fathom broad and about seven high. It
is opened on the four sides by four arches…”. Often called "The Arc de triomphe
of the East", Charminar was built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah and is a
beautiful structure with four intricately carved minarets. Enormous in its size,
this imposing monument exudes a charm that is more than 400 years
old!".
Charminar is surrounded by markets and many other structures which
adds to its grace. Shahali Banda, Laad Bazar, Kali Kaman
and Patthar Gatti flank charminar on its four sides. The structure here
show mixed Indian and Mughal architectural styles. |
| Laad Bazaar |  From glass bangles to pure pearls, and from
handicrafts to gun metal showpieces the City offers a host of articles to the
tourist. The favourite place for almost every tourist is Laad
Bazar, a famous bazar adjacent to the historical Charminar. The accent here
is on color, glitter and sheen. This is true of not only bangles but everything
at Laad Bazaar. The Mehboob Chowk, a torpid looking quadrangle with an imposing
tower in the middle marks the end of the Bazaar. Situated at an altitude of 1722
ft; Hyderabad has salubrious climate with low humidity during the greater part
of the year. In April and May temperatures may go up to 40 degree centigrades
but during the rest of the year the climate is temperate and during December and
January it is cool. |
| Golconda Fort | The
name originates from the Telgu words "Golla and Konda" or
"Shepherd's Hill" after neighbourings Warangal. A clap under the canopy
of the Fateh Darwaza can be heared at the far summit palace. Famous KOHINOOR
DIAMOND of the British Crown was mined from this area. This legendary citadel
built on a 120 meter high granite hill is surrounded by battlemented ramparts.
Once the capital of the Qutub Shahis, the fort is enclosed within eight massive
gates studded with large pointed iron spikes. One of the most remarkable
features of this fort is its advanced acoustics. The fort’s acoustics are
remarkable: sound of hands clapping in the Grand Portico can be heard in the
Durbar hall at the top of the hill. Also, the design of the ventilation reveals
the brilliant planning of the architects. The ventilation is designed to let in
a flow of fresh cool breeze which is a respite from the heat of summer. An
hour-long light-and-sound show is held daily except Mondays. This massive fort is 11 km in perimeter
and its walls are 15 to 18 ft high. The whole fort is built in granite and is
flanked by 70 ramparts and 8 huge gates. Previously the whole fort was
surrounded by a deep gorge but slowly this was filled up. While entering from
the main gate of the fort, if one claps below the dome, echoes are heard in a Durbars
hall some 128 meter away.
The majestic and imposing monument which lies on the Western outskirts of
Hyderabad city - Golconda Fort, unravels with it the 400 years of the rich
cultural heritage of this city. Outside the Fort are two separate pavilions
built on a rocky eminence - the Taramathi Gana Mandir and the Premathi Nritya
Mandir from where the legendary sisters Taramathi and Premamathi resided. They
gave their performance on a circular dais atop a two-storied structure, the Kala
Mandir, which was visible from the king's durbar (king's court) on top of the
Golconda Fort. Although in a dilapidated condition, efforts are on to revive the
glory of the Kala 'Mender by organizing the Deccan art festival annually. Close
to the fort are the beautiful domed monuments, the Qutb Shahi Tombs built with
Islamic architecture. |
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