UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE

CHANDIGARH UNIVERSITY
GHARAUN

Bachelor of Architecture
SEMESTER - 5

DOCUMENTATION REPORT

ON

CHARMINAR
Old City of Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Submitted By:
Ankita
19BAR1012

Submitted To:
Ar. Hardeep Kaur
Ar. Trishna

i
ii
 CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1
General Information:
History:
The cultural history of Hyderabad city

SITE ANALYSIS��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5
Location:
Location Timeline:
Site Facts:
Approach to the Site and Dimensions:

PLANNING & DETAILS�����������������������������������������������������������������������������9

Floor Plan:
Different elements in plan
Reflected ceiling plan:
Elevations:
Section:
Views:
Architectural Details:
Architectural Details:
Construction materials:
Structure and architecture:
The restoration of charminar:

CONCLUSION���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21

iii
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Picture of charminar 1

Figure 2: Side veiw of Charminar 2
Figure 3: Charminar, Char Kaman and Gulzar Houz, photographed by Lala
Deen Dayal in the 1880s3
Figure 4: Charminar 4
Figure 5: UP map highlighting Bareilly 5
Figure 6: Telangana map highlighting Hyderabad 5
Figure 7: Satellite maps  5
Figure 8: Satellite maps showing the site images of different years. 6
Figure 9 : Average temperature graph7
Figure 10 : Average annual precipitation graph7
Figure 11: Average annual temperature graph7
Figure 12: Location Plan8
Figure 12: Site Plan8
Figure 13: Floor plan9
Figure 14: Fountain at Charminar10
Figure 15 : 149 steps 12 landings to reach the top most floors. 10
Figure 16 : Jali work at arch10
Figure 17. Mosque at entrance.10
Figure 18 : Reflected ceiling plan11
Figure 19 : Elements at ceiling11
Figure 20 : Front Elevation12
Figure 21 : Side Elevation12
Figure 21 : Section XX'13
Figure 22: Front View of charminar14
Figure 23: IsometricView of charminar

iv
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 24: Image showing details at facade14

Figure 25: A minaret of the Charminar16
Figure 26: Clock of the Charminar -(installed by the 6th Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali
Khan)16
Figure 27: Mosque on Second Floor16
Figure 28: Interior 16
Figure 29: Charminar 18
Figure 30: Minarets of Charminar which needs to be restored19

v
 INTRODUCTION

Project Selection:
The project was selected because of :
• Unique character and a strong historical background.
• Most recognised structures in India
• The Charminar's long history includes the existence of a mosque on its top floor for
more than 400 years.
• Charminar is a grand architectural composition in Indo-Saracenic style.

Aim and Scope of Study:

The Documentaion study has been carried on the basis of the following parameters :
• Planning
• Materials
• Constuction Techniques
• Floor Plans
• Architectural details

Figure 1: Picture of Charminar

1
General Information:
• The Charminar constructed in 1591, is a monument and mosque located in Hyderabad,
Telangana, India. The landmark has become known globally as a symbol of Hyder-
abad and is listed among the most recognised structures in India. It has also been
officially incorporated as the Emblem of Telangana for the state of Telangana.The
Charminar's long history includes the existence of a mosque on its top floor for more
than 400 years. While both historically and religiously significant, it is also known for
its popular and busy local markets surrounding the structure, and has become one of
the most frequented tourist attractions in Hyderabad. Charminar is also a site of nu-
merous festival celebrations, such as Eid-ul-adha and Eid al-Fitr.

Location : Old City of Hyderabad,

Telangana, India
Municipality : GHMC
State Telangana
Administration : Government of
Telangana
Geographic coordinates:17°21′42″N
78°28′29″E.
Site area : 1100m²
Year consecrated: 1591
(430 years ago)
Architect : Mir Momin Astarabadi.
Style : Indo-Islamic architecture.
Founder : Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.

Figure 2: Side veiw of Charminar

2
History:
The Charminar was established more than four centuries ago by the fifth Sultan of the
Qutb Shahi dynasty, namely Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah. He commissioned the
construction of this grand mosque in the year 1591 after he shifted his capital from Gol-
conda to Hyderabad, which was a newly formed city.

There are several theories as to why Qutub Shah constructed this towering mosque right
in the middle of his new capital. According to some historians, the Sultan was forced to
shift his capital due to the epidemic of cholera that was killing thousands of his subjects
at that time. He prayed to the Almighty and vowed to construct a mosque if the misery
of his people came to an end. The Charminar was built to honor this pledge once cholera
was eradicated from the city.

Another school of thought believes that Quli Qutub Shah constructed the mosque and
founded the city of Hyderabad to mark the start of the second Islamic millennium year,
which was a significant event in the Islamic world at that time. Since the structure was
adorned with four lofty minarets on its four sides, it came to be known as Charminar,
which means ‘Four Towers’ in Urdu.

With a history that is as old as the city of Hyderabad, the structure has stood the test of
time but it has also undergone some damages and renovations along the way. During the
governorship of Asaf Jahi and Qutb Shahi, the minaret on the southwest was damaged by
lightning and was later repaired. The monument was given a fresh coat of plaster in 1824
at a cost of around one lakh rupees. In 1889, four clocks brought from London were add-
ed to the four arches by Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad.

Currently, the monument is under the aegis of the Archaeological Survey of India who is
in charge of its protection and maintenance.

Figure 3: Charminar, Char Kaman and Gulzar Houz, photographed by Lala Deen Dayal
in the 1880s

3
• The cultural history of Hyderabad city
Hyderabad is the capital city of Telangana state and fourth largest city in India. It occu-
pies 650 square kilometers along the bank of Musi river. It has a population of about 6.8
million, making the fourth most populous city and sixth most populous urban agglomer-
ation in India. The meaning behind the name Hyderabad is “Hyder’s abode” (lion city)
which derived from Persian/Urdu language. From one of the famous story, The Muham-
mad Quli Qutub Shah, the founder of the city named it “Bhaganagar” (The city of Gar-
dens) after Bhagwati, a girlwith whom he had fallen in love.

The history of Hyderabad has seen the rise and fall of the various kingdom. From Qutub
Shahi to Nizam, various rulers have established and flourished the city till modern times.
Qutub Shahi Dynasty established in 1518, where all Qutub Shahi kings were Turkmen
Muslims. The first king who established the Qutub Shahi dynasty was Sultan Quli Qutb-
ul-Mulk (1512-1543) who was governor in Badmani Sultan Mohammad Shah, after
disintegration he established his own Qutub Shahi Dynasty. There were eight kings who
ruled and expanded the kingdom, The Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah (1543-1550), Subhan
Quli Qutb Shah (1550), Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah (1550-1580), Muhammad Quli Qutb
Shah (1580-1612) he was the most famous Qutbshahi ruler, who has constructed Charmi-
nar and established city of old city Hyderabad. After him, Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah
(1612–1626), Abdullah Qutb Shah (1626–1672), Abul Hasan Qutb Shah (1672–1689)
the three rulers has chronologically established the sultanate. In 1687 Mughal emperor
Aurangzeb attacked Golconda and conquered Qutbshahi sultanate. In 1724, Asif Jah I the
Mughal viceroy declared his sovereignty and known as the Nizams of Hyderabad. After
Asaf Jah I, there were six more rulers ruled on Hyderabad till 1947.
The cultural evidence of Qutb Shahi and Nizam rule remain visible today, the legacy is
also evident in the city’s cuisine like biryani and haleem. The Hyderabad city is a cul-
tural hub which has emerged as a city of distinct varieties of culture in India. In recent
years, the special economic zones dedicated to information and technology has become
an encouragement for companies from across the world to set up operations. From Qutub
Shahi to Information technology, the city has undergone various changes and molded into
one society with rich heritage and culture, and become one of the most popular and inter-
esting destinations among the tourist where everyone can make choice of where to visit
according to their own interest due to its rich culture.

Figure 4: Charminar

4
 LOCATION

Location:Old City of Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Figure 5: India map showing Telangana Figure 6: Telangana map highlighting Hyderabad

Figure 7: Satellite map

5
Location Timeline:

2006 2009

2014 2021
Figure 8: Satellite maps showing the site images of different years.

Timeline maps in figure 8, shows the quick increase of residential colonies and important-
ly markets around the site.
In a locality with densely located concrete buildings, Charminar is the only building ex-
isting with the strong historical background from the Islamic time.
The Charminar's long history includes the existence of a mosque on its top floor for more
than 400 years.
Charminar is a grand architectural composition in Indo-Saracenic style.
The Charminar (Four Minarets) is striking monument set in the heart of Hyderabad.
Charminar stands at the crossing of two arterial axes in the old city of Hyderabad and
forms the symbolic fulcrum of the city, with its four gateways oriented towards the cardi-
nal directions. N

6
Site Facts:

Climate:
Between the driest and wettest months, the difference in precipitation is 159 mm | 6 inch.
During the year, the average temperatures vary by 10.2 °C | 18.4 °F.
The month with the highest relative humidity is September (77.78 %). The month with
the lowest relative humidity is March (36.74 %).
The month with the highest number of rainy days is July (16.93 days). The month with
the lowest number of rainy days is February (0.93 days).
Hyderabad are in the middle and the summers are that easy to define.
The best time to visit are January, February, March, June, July, August, September, Octo-
ber, November, December.

Table 1: Average annual temperature chart

Figure 9 : Average temperature graph

Figure 10 : Average annual precipitation graph Figure 11: Average annual temperature graph

7
Approach to the Site and Dimensions:
The site is approachable from all 4 sides through 14m wide roads as it is situated at the
centre of market area as shown in figure 12. Public facilities are nearby the residencial
areas. The whole minaret is surrounded by temporary ass well as permanent shops. And
thus forming a crowded area for people.

Figure 11: Location Plan

Figure 12: Site Plan

N

8
 PLANNING & DETAILS
Floor Plan:
It is a square structure standing at the intersection of two streets leading to the four quarters of
the original city, with an archway on each of its sides. The upper level has an arcaded balcony
and pierced stone screen, with a mosque on the western side. Western-style clocks were add-
ed to each face in 1899/1316 AH. Each corner has a 48.77 m tall minaret topped with domed
finials.
The Charminar features a perfectly square-shaped structure that is 20 meters long on each
side. Four grand arches and four exquisite minarets placed at the four corners lend the mon-
ument a distinctive look. Each of the minarets is four-storied, 56 meters tall, has a double
balcony, and features a dome-shaped structure on its top. There are 149 steps leading to the
upper floor of the monument from where you can get a bird’s-eye view of the city and the
surrounding marketplace.
The Charminar is adorned with stucco decorations and lavish balustrades and balconies.
There is also a mosque situated on a portion of the open roof of the structure. While one part
of the Charminar’s roof served as a mosque, the remaining area was used to hold the court
during the reign of Sultan Qutb Shahi.

Minaret

Arches

Ablution tank

Winding staircase

Figure 13: Floor plan Note- All dimensions are in mm

9
Different elements in plan

Figure 14: Fountain at

Charminar

Figure 16 : Jali work at Figure 17. Mosque at en-

Figure 15 : 149 steps 12
arch trance.
landings to reach the top
most floors.

10
Reflected ceiling plan

Figure 18 : Reflected ceiling plan

Figure 19 : Elements at ceiling

11
Elevations:

LVL +-00

LVL +3570 LVL +3570

Figure 20 : Front Elevation

LVL +-00

LVL +3570 LVL +3570

(Side)

Figure 21 : Side Elevation

12
Section:

Figure 21 : Section XX'

• 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.
• The balcony in the first floor provides an excellent view of the surrounding areas
and on the top floor, there is a small mosque which is on the western side of the
monument which faces mecca
• There is a morden click of early british era present in charminar serving from the
colonial era . The clock on the four cardinal directions was added in 1889.

13
Views :

Figure 22: Front View of charminar

Figure 23: IsometricView of charminar Figure 24: Image showing details at facade

14
Architectural Details:

13300.0

MOTIFS AND PATTERNS

11000.0
Architectural details at A
Two pointed arch present at all four
entrances of charminar
Architectural details at B
Two pointed arch present at all four
entrances of charminar
USED
•Charminar provides one of
the best examples of cross-
ventilation
•The ornamentation of the
arches was done in a three-
layered fashion. the arch
ends in a bud which with
a relief medallion on each
side. beneath this is a layer of
designs and motifs
•The third layer is floral mo-
tifs. this pattern is followed
on all the arched openings,
though designs of the arches
on the four sides of charmi-
nar are different from one
another.

15
Architectural Details:

Figure 25: A minaret of the

Charminar

Figure 26: Clock of the Charminar -(installed by the

6th Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali Khan)

Figure 27: Mosque on Second Floor

Figure 28: Interior

16
Construction materials:
• Granite,
• Limestome,
• Mortar and pulveri zed marble.

The charminar was the first monument in the world constructed using limemortar and
granite. It was only after its construction that the architects throughout the world rec-
ognised the strength of lime-mortar in raising huge structures.
The materials used for charminar was considered to be high calcium lime - mortar.
More than 2,000 labourers were engaged by the quli qutubshahi king to begin the con-
struction and the production oflimemortar began. but soon after mixing the lime with
sandin water according to the proportion, the chief architectwent missing thus delaying
the construction. a massive huntwas launched and announcements were made throughout.
The golconda kingdom for tracing him. after a few years, thearchitect surfaced before
the quli qutub shah explainingthat he had absconded for the period that is required for
thelime-sand mixture to mature. Despite being angry at him fordelaying the construction,
the king asked him to begin thework and, subsequently, the monument was completed-
within two years. high workability, water retentivity, plasticity,more adhesive power and
a few other qualities seem to haveencouraged the qutub shahi kings to make extensive
use oflime-mortar in almost all the monuments and palaces builtby them. The high quality
of lime-mortar used by the qutubshahi architects can be gauged by the fact that themon-
ument constructed by them is still intact while thesouth-western minaret which fell into
pieces in 1707 due to alightning and was rebuilt by the moghal architects is not sostrong.
the archaeological survey of india has taken up therepair of the minaret as it has suffered
a damage again.
The plastering on the monument is not original, as it was redone in 1924 by the Nizam
(seventh, Mir Osman Ali Khan, the Asaf Jahi monarch of the erstwhile state of Hyder-
abad).

17
Structure & Architecture

The Charminar was built at the intersection of the historical trade route connecting the
markets of Golkonda with the port city of Machhilipatnam. The city of Hyderabad was
designed with the Charminar at its center, spread around in four quadrants along the
four cardinal directions. Mir Momin Astarabadi of the Qutb Shahi dynasty played an
important role and ordered extensive preparations for the design and layout along with
that of the new capital city. Architects from Persia were invited to provide additional
designs and suggestions.

Inspired by the shapes of Shiya Tazias built to commemorate the tragic death of
Prophet Muhammed’s grandson, Hussain at the battle of Karbala, the structure of the
Charminar is perfectly square, with each side measuring 20m. The four grand arches
open into four different streets and stand 11m wide. The square structure accommo-
dates four minarets in each corner. The minarets are 56 meters high, house two balco-
nies, and are topped with small delicate domes and intricate carvings on the outside
walls. Unlike other prominent Islamic monuments, the minarets are built into the main
structure. Inside the minarets there is a spiral staircase with 149 steps and 12 landings.
The structure is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture with ample Persian influ-
ences. While arches and the domes show the influence of Islamic architecture, the min-
arets reflect Persian influence. The delicate stucco floral ornamentations on the ceiling,
the balconies and the outside walls speak of Hindu influences.

Figure 29: Charminar

18
Owing to its architectural similarity, Charminar is often called “Arc de Triomphe of
the East”.

The second floor of the structure houses the oldest mosque of the city. It is located on
the western side of the roof. The eastern part served as the court at the time of Sultan
Qutb Shah. There are two galleries inside the Charminar - one over the other. The
main gallery has 45 musallah or prayer spaces opening up to an uncovered space that
may accommodate more people during Friday prayers.

Four clocks were added along the four cardinal directions in 1889. The small Vazu in
the middle of the courtyard with a small fountain provides water for Ablution for Mus-
lims offering prayer in the Mosque.

Legend has it that an underground tunnel connects the Charminar with the Golkonda
fort. According to rumors, the tunnel was built to help the kings and queens escape to
safety during a siege. These speculations have not been confirmed till date since the
existence of any such tunnel has not been reported.

Restoration of charminar

The ASI officials on Tuesday visited the Charminar and examined the works at the
damaged portion of the south-east minaret and some other portions of the heritage
monument that were damaged due to unseasonal rains and increased pollution in May.
Superintending Archaeologist of the ASI-Hyderabad Milan Kumar Chauley said that
the works related to damaged portion of minaret and some other portions close to it
will be completed in a week or two. "Three specialists and two workers from Chennai
are doing their best for the restoration and renovation of damaged portion caused due
to the recent rains," he said. ASI initiated restoration work within days after a piece of
lime stucco work on one of its minarets fell off about two months back.

Figure 30: Minarets of Charminar which needs to be restored

19
Atomic absorption studies of the lime chunks of Charminarby Archaeological Survey of
India ( ) and Geological Surveyof India (GSI) conducted in early 1990s have revealed that
thematerial used for construction was sourced locally. It is ofsuperior quality than the one
used in the construction of TajMahal. The mortar used in Charminar had less proportions
ofsand (silica) and magnesium oxide and this is giving themonument the much-needed
strength to stand tall forcenturies.But the construction material now used for restoration of-
Charminar is sourced from outside Telangana. Expertssuggest that the ASI should conduct
mineral analysis of limeplaster obtained from outside the state to ensure that themineral
composition matches with that of the originalmortar used by the Qutub Shahis. The pro-
portion of calciumoxide in lime plaster used by Qutub Shahis ranged from23.38 per cent to
28.86 per cent. While silica dioxide (sand)was less than 47 per cent, magnesium oxide was
as low as0.86 per cent.INTACH, Hyderabad chapter, convener P Anuradha Reddytold TOI
that several factors caused damage to the historicmonument. “The quality of lime plaster
used by QutubShahis is superior. This explains why Charminar, which isolder than Taj
Mahal, is stronger,” she said suggesting thatthe material for repairs and renovation should
be sourceslocally to match the mineral composition.In his research study based on atomic
absorption, M Singh ofASI during 1992-93 as part of 400 years of Charminar, statedthat
Charminar, constructed with locally available materials,is a monumental tribute to engi-
neers and workers of QutubShahi period. The material had minerals like silica dioxide,alu-
minium oxide, titanium dioxide, calcium oxide,magnesium oxide, sodium oxide, potassium
oxide, andmanganese oxide in various proportions. “There is uniformityin the mineralogi-
cal composition of Charminar plasters,” hesaid.Charminar built in 1591 CE by Mohammad
Quli Qutub ShahV is a unique monument. It has been the grandeur, gloryand iconic identity
of Hyderabad ever since the city was builtto decongest then Qutub Shahi capital city of
Golconda. It isalso the best example of Indo-Persian or Indo-Islamic style ofarchitecture.

20
 CONCLUSION

• Construction technique is Indo – Islamic Architecture.

• Due to it's loosing shine and beauty the moneument has to be restored.
• Importance of the preservation of building with historic value.
• It was ahead of its time when it came to the materials used for construction. The con-
struction technique without the use of plaster was found.

21