Historical Monument

**sohail** · September 26th, 2006, 01:10 AM

**sucher67** · September 26th, 2006, 01:25 AM

Nice shots. Isn't it a cenotaph in India?

**sohail** · September 26th, 2006, 02:06 PM

well its called "the four minarates" (charminar in local language). it was erected around 410 years ago when the city was founded.

**sucher67** · September 26th, 2006, 07:49 PM

Thanks for the name! I am adding this to my list of things to see.

"Charminar is one of the most important landmarks of the city of Hyderabad. The monument was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 to commemorate the eradication of plague, shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golconda to what now is known as Hyderabad. Legends tell that the emperor Quli Qutb Shah prayed for the end of plague and took the vow to build a mosque on that very place. He ordered the construction of the mosque which became popular as Charminar because of its four characteristic minarets. The top floor of the four-storeyed structure has a mosque which has 45 covered prayer spaces and some open space to accommodate more people in Friday prayers."

**Gman1524** · September 26th, 2006, 07:51 PM

I love buildings lit up at night.

**sohail** · September 27th, 2006, 01:39 PM

i had to almost lie down on the road to take those snaps.that monument is really huge.took it from "canon powershot a610"

**redwing** · September 30th, 2006, 10:24 AM

sohail, thanks for helping to expand our cultural diversity. Do you have any daytime pics? I'd love to see this structure in natural light.

**sohail** · September 30th, 2006, 01:29 PM

yes redwing, here are some day light pictures.

**sohail** · September 30th, 2006, 01:33 PM

the third one is from google earth, clarity is not that good though.

**sohail** · September 30th, 2006, 01:37 PM

glad you guys liked the monument.
some night time pics.

**sucher67** · September 30th, 2006, 09:54 PM

Very nice in the daytime, too! The city looks very alive.

**redwing** · November 5th, 2006, 08:42 PM

sorry for not replying sooner. thanks for the daytime pictures, it is a fantastic display of architecture. someday I will get to visit India, and some parts of Asia.

google earth is a great program. I was using it a few days ago to prepare for my trip to Barcelona in the spring. as often as I use the program, it still amazes me when my co-workers see me and say "hey, what is that?" and then we spend about an hour looking at different parts of the world.