Charminar was constructed on the intersection of the historical trade route that connects the markets of the Golconda with the port city of Masulipatnam. Mir Momin Astarabadi, Qutb Shah’s prime minister, played a leading role in preparing the layout plan for the Charminar along with that of the new capital city, Hyderabad. The city was designed keeping Charminar as a centrepiece. The city was spread around the Charminar in four different quadrants and chambers. 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 (Islamic school of learning). The monument is made of granite, limestone, mortar and pulverised marble. It is of Indo-Islamic architecture style, incorporating Persian architectural elements.
The Charminar is a square structure with each side 20 meters (66 feet) long, with four grand arches each facing a fundamental point that opens into four streets. At each corner stands an exquisitely shaped minaret, 56 meters (184 feet) high each having three storeys rising to a height to 56 metres. Each minaret is crowned by a bulbous dome with dainty petal-like designs at the base. Unlike the Taj Mahal, Charminar’s four fluted minarets are built into the main structure.
The spiral staircase inside the minarets has 149 steps leading to the top with 12 landings. The double screen of arches on the roof and the ornamental arches on the minarets add to the aesthetic value.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION AND SOME OTHER FACTS OF THIS SYMBOL OF OPULENCE AND DESIGN --GO THROUGH LINK BELOW TO SEE : CHARMINAR
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