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PRADESH - FORTS |
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Charminar :A splendid piece of architecture
standing in the heart of the city built by Quli
Qutub Shah, in 1591. This magnificent monument
is the unique symbol of Hyderabad . Charminar is
often called as "The Arc de triomphe of the East".
It is considered as the legendary masterpiece of
Qutub Shahi's. This beautiful structure derives
its name from four intricately carved minarets,
The four graceful minarets literally meaning 'Four
Minars',.
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It is located amidst the colourful shops of Lad
Bazaar with its glittering traditional bangles
in the old city. Enormous in its size, this imposing
monument exudes a charm that is more than 400
years old.
It was built with granite and lime-mortar. It
is a blend of 'Cazia' and Islamic style of architecture.
The intertwined arches and domes are examples
of typical Islamic style of the architecture.
The graceful floral motif atop the Charminar
is enchanting. The Charminar depicts the Indo-Saracenic
tradition - a symbiosis of the Hindu and the
Muslim traditions, which has woven the magic
of a rich Deccan culture. The Charminar looks
spectacular particularly in the nights when it
is illuminated.
It offers an excellent panoramic view of the city and Golconda Fort in Andhra
Pradesh, which makes the mind go back into time and recapitulates the past glory
of Hyderabad during the Qutub Shahi times. Charminar has become an inseparable
part of the history of Hyderabad.
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Mecca
Masjid : is one of the largest mosques in India
accommodating
upto 10,000 worshippers. This is the biggest
mosque in Hyderabad and lies within hundred yards
to the southwest of Charminar. The mosque got
its name from the belief that the bricks inserted
over the central arch were baked out of clay
brought from Mecca, and also from the grand mosque
at Mecca on which it is patterned. The constructions
of this mosque was started by Sultan Muhammad
Qutub Shah, the work continued during the reign
of Abdullah Qutub Shah and Abul Hassan Tana Shah
and was completed in 1694 by the Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb.
The hall measures 67m by 54m and is 23m in height. Fifteen arches, five on
each of the three sides, support the roof. The western side is blocked by a
high wall to provide the 'mehrab'.
A room in the courtyard
is believed to house the relic of the Prophet
Mohammad. At each end are two huge octagonal
columns made out of a single piece of granite
each topped by an arched gallery that is crowned
by a dome. The colonnades and door arches have
inscriptions from the Quran. Now it has been
wire meshed to stop birds nesting in the ceiling
and liming the floor. It took about 8000 Masons
and laborers and 77 years to complete.
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Golconda
Fort : Golconda fort of Andhra pradesh,
is a majestic monument, which lies on the
western outskirts of Hyderabad city. It speaks
of a great cultural heritage of 400 years
and is regarded as a place worth visiting.
Built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1525,
it stands as the epitome of Nawabi culture
and grandeur.
The magnificent architecture
of the Golconda fort is manifest in its acoustic
system, the structural grandeur of the palaces
and ingenious water supply system. The fort
was famous for its diamond trade and the 'Kohinoor'
diamond is said to have come from here. One
is perplexed to see the meticulous details
of the architecture and the fading gardens,
which were once upon a time replete with sprawling
lawns and playing fountains.
Golconda is built on a granite hill 120m high, and is surrounded by crenulated
ramparts constructed of large masonry blocks weighing several tonnes. The design
of the ventilation reveals the brilliant planning of the architects; they are
designed to let in a flow of fresh cool breeze, which is a respite from the
heat of summer.
The massive gates are studded with large pointed iron spikes to prevent elephants
from battering them down. The outer wall surrounding the entire township of
Golconda, is about 11-km long, and is strongly fortified. In its heyday, the
10-km long road from Golconda to outer Hyderabad was a fabulous market selling
jewellery, diamonds, pearls and other gems, which were famous all over the
world.
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