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A proud sentinel in the heart of the Old City, this magnificent monument built by Quli Qutub Shah, is the unique symbol of Hyderabad. It was built in 1591 by Quli Qutb Shah. to commemorate the end of the plague that had ravaged Hyderabad, The four graceful minarets from which 'Charminar' derives its name, literally meaning 'Four Minars' soar to a height of 48.7 Mts. each, above the ground. The history of Hyderabad begins with the establishment of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Quli Qutb shah seized the reins of power from the Bahamani kingdom in 1512 and established the fortress city of Golconda. Inadequacy of water and frequent epidemics of plague and cholera persuaded Mohammed, the fifth Quli Qutb Shahi ruler to venture outward to establish the new city with the Charminar at its center with four great roads fanning out in four cardinal directions. All around the Charminar is the bustling bazaar of pearl and jewelry shops, perfume and ittar dealers. On one of the roads leading to the Charminar is the famous "Lad Bazaar" (Lord Bazaar) with rows of shops selling lacquer, glass bangles, trinkets, etc., and is a virtual haven for the Womenfolk of Hyderabad
One of the finest palaces in Hyderabad, the monument "Falaknuma Palace" is situated on a hill 2000 feet high, located 5 Km. south of Charminar. Built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, the fifth Paigah Emir, it was purchased by Nizam VI in 1897 as was used as a royal guest house and is now the property of Nawab Mukarramjah Bahadur, the grandson of Nizam VII. The palace was designed by an Italian architect and its foundation was laid on the 3rd of March, 1884, it took 9 years to complete the construction of the Palace. The palace boasts of one of the most lavishly decorated interiors. The Jade collection of the Palace is conisdered to be unique in the world. The Palace has priceless collections of paintings, statues and English furniture.