Hyderabad - Charminar

The principal landmark in Hyderabad is Charminar, built in 1591 to commemorate the end of a plague epidemic. The Charminar is a structure of four columns with corner minarets and a small Hindu shrine. Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah built the structure after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda.

The Hindu shrine is located on the second floor of the Charminar and it is the oldest in Hyderabad. The spiral staircase leads up to the columns offering views of the city.

Each side of the Charminar opens into a plaza through giant arches. The arches face North, South, East and West. The first floor was used as a college during the Qutub Shahi period and now offers spectacular views of the city from the balconies. The roof of the Charminar can be visited with special permission from the Archeological Survey of India.

This beautiful monument is constructed with granite, lime, mortar and marble.