Charminar

Context: Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi unfurls National Flag at Charminar.

About Charminar:

• Charminar was built by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1591.
• It was built in honour of his wife, Bhagmati.
• As per a popular belief, Charminar was built to acknowledge the elimination of the plague which had affected the entire city immensely during that era.
• The four pillars are also said to be dedicated to the first four caliphs of Islam.
• An Iranian architect Mir Momin Astrawadi, who had settled in Hyderabad, designed Charminar.
• The architectural design of Charminar is inspired from the Shia “tazias”.
• These Tazias were built in the memory of Hussain, who was the son in law of Prophet Muhammad and had lost his life in the battle of Karbala.
• Charminar has been built with granite and lime mortar and pulverised marble.
• On the top floor of Charminar there is a mosque which is believed to be the oldest mosque of Hyderabad city.
• The Charminar is situated on the east bank of Musi River.
• It is listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure on the official list of monuments prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India.
• Charminar, along with the Qutb Shahi Monuments of Hyderabad: the Golconda Fort, and the Qutb Shahi Tombs, were included in the “tentative list” of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The monument was submitted by the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO on September 10, 2010.

Source: The Hindu

Previous Year Question

Q.1) With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:

1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  (2022)

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3
4. 3 only

Q.2) With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad state.
2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of the Vijayanagara empire.
3. Rohilkhand kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3
4. 3 only