A Little Journey of Nizam's city : Exploring Hyderabad Part 1

It's been a few month that I am roaming around in Nizam's city, thinking of to write down, but somehow could not make up my mind, time is the constraint. But finally today I am gonna start with one of the oldest structure of this city - Charminar and Makkah masjid. The Old City, Hyderabad is located on the banks of the Musi River built by sultan Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah of the Qutub Shahi destiny in 1591 AD.The royal Nizam continued their reign until their last ruler, Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII (1911–1948).Today Hyderabad become cosmopolitan but the this old part symbolizes the heart of the city.

Old city , near Charminar

Colorful bangles !!

So on a fine morning of a weekend I decided to visit this epic structure and off-course with my digital eye, though this is not my first time. Earlier many times I passed by that huge monument but never tried to get on the top. But this time I decided to take the other way and thought off to capture some good candid pictures of people and the famous Churi Bazar (Bangle Market).The day was quite hot and old city road was too crowded with local people and visitors like me.

Metallic beauty 

First, I went to the 400 years old Makkah Masjid situated to the southwest of Charminar. It is begun by Muhammed Quli Qutub in 1617 under the supervision of Mir Faizullah Baig and Rangaiah Choudhary, it was later completed during Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1694. The mosque is built of granite and has a main hall 75 feet (23 m) high, 220 feet (67 m) wide and 180 feet (55 m) long, big enough to accommodate ten thousand worshipers at a time. The entrance arches are made of single slabs of granite. Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah commissioned bricks to be made from soil brought from Mecca and used them in the central arch and construction of the mosque, hence its name . Local muslim people are resting in masjid, doing some chitchat or praying .Few kids playing around the small fountain,the playful flocks of pigeons made the place lively.

Old Makkah Maszid

Rest after fly ..the Pigeons

the Entrance of monument 

English translation and combination of the Urdu words Chār and Minar or meenar, translating to "Four Pillars, yes this was my next destination. There are different scattered stories behind the history of this 160 ft tall gigantic monument. Some people say, it was built at the center of the city "to commemorate the eradication of plague", a deadly disease which was wide spread at that time. 

Another story says, it was built to commemorate the beginning of the second Islamic millennium year (1000 AH). Whatever may be the story is, I was a traveler to enjoy. So, I moved to Charminar entrance, got a ticket and ready to climb at the highest point. 

Zafri work on the ceiling 

The staircases are very narrow, in a serpentine manner and light is very less. It's really required to have good eye sight and little bit of courage, which will push you to the top. Recently the renovation has been completed by present care taker, Archaeological Survey of India, so lots of people gathered.

So many people !!

From top of the old tall monument you can view a large area of old city. Few boards are there mentioning history of it. It also become a home to pigeons. Though it was little hectic, in scorching sun, traveling in crowded city, overcoming the greed of Sunday afternoon delicious lunch followed by a good nap, still the small trip was worth to me. Nice time I spent.

Top view ..

We will make our own nest and spread peace !!