Charminar

Charminar is a monument and mosque in the old city of Hyderabad, Telangana, built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, when he founded the new city of Hyderabad. Charminar means 'four minarets', and its four towers, each about 56 m high, have made it the most recognised symbol of Hyderabad.

Tradition holds that Charminar was built to mark the end of a plague, and its design is attributed to the Persian architect Mir Momin Astarabadi. The structure is a square of granite and lime mortar, with four grand arches facing the cardinal directions and a small mosque on the top floor. The four roads that meet at Charminar were laid out as the axes of the new capital, and they are still the busy market streets of the old city.

What to see

• The four great arches, each opening onto a market street
• The balconies and stucco decoration on the minarets
• The first floor, reached by a narrow staircase, with views over the old city
• Laad Bazaar to the west, lined with lacquer bangle shops
• Mecca Masjid, one of India's largest mosques, a short walk south-west

What to wear

Charminar is a monument with a working mosque on top, so modest dress is best: covered shoulders and knees for everyone, and women may want a scarf. The old city streets are crowded, so wear comfortable closed shoes and keep bags in front of you. Hyderabad is very hot from March to June, so bring a hat and water. In the old city you will see the sherwani and the khada dupatta, a traditional Hyderabadi bridal outfit, in the bridal shops of Laad Bazaar.

Local food to try

The streets around Charminar are the heart of Hyderabadi food. Try Hyderabadi biryani, haleem (especially during Ramzan), pathar ka gosht and paya, and finish with qubani ka meetha or double ka meetha. For Irani chai with Osmania biscuits, Nimrah Cafe beside Charminar is a long-running favourite. Most food in the old city is halal; vegetarians can find mirchi ka salan, bagara baingan and snacks in the bazaars.

Good to know

• Best from October to February, early morning or late afternoon
• Open daily, about 9:30am to 5:30pm
• ASI ticket; foreign visitors pay a higher rate, and paying online is slightly cheaper
• Allow 1 hour, plus 1 to 2 hours for the bazaars
• In Hyderabad's old city, about 30 km from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
• The area is pedestrianised and parking is hard; come by metro, taxi or auto rickshaw

Nearby places

Golconda Fort, the Qutb Shahi citadel, is about 10 km west, and Ramoji Film City is about 30 km east. The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is a longer trip of roughly 550 km south.