Part of: Telangana Gk set 16

A monument and mosque located in Hyderabad; this landmark structure has now also been incorporated as the state emblem of Telangana.

Category: Telangana Gk

Hint: Consider the iconic structure that is both a monument and a mosque.

Correct Answer: B) Charminar

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The Charminar is a historical monument and mosque located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It is one of the most iconic structures in the city and is recognized as a significant cultural symbol. The Charminar was built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, to commemorate the end of a plague that had ravaged the region. The structure is known for its four minarets, each standing at 48.7 meters (160 feet) high, and its intricate stonework and arches.

The Charminar is not only a monument but also a mosque, with a mosque located on the top floor. The mosque has a large hall with a central courtyard and a small mosque with a single mihrab. The Charminar is a significant architectural and historical landmark in Hyderabad and is a popular tourist attraction. It is also a symbol of the city's rich cultural heritage and is often featured in promotional materials and official emblems.

In 2014, when Telangana was formed as a separate state, the Charminar was chosen as the state emblem. This decision was made to highlight the historical and cultural significance of the monument and to promote it as a symbol of the new state. The Charminar is thus a unique structure that serves both as a historical monument and a mosque, and it has been officially recognized as a symbol of Telangana.

Other structures in Hyderabad, such as the Qutub Shahi tombs and Mecca Masjid, are also significant historical landmarks, but they do not combine the roles of a monument and a mosque in the same way that the Charminar does. The Qutub Shahi tombs are a group of tombs located in the city, and Mecca Masjid is a large mosque, but neither has been incorporated as the state emblem of Telangana. Purani Haveli, while a historical building, is not a mosque and is not the state emblem.

Therefore, the Charminar is the correct answer as it is a historical monument and mosque that has been incorporated as the state emblem of Telangana.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: The Qutub Shahi tombs are a group of tombs located in Hyderabad, but they are not a single monument and mosque, nor are they the state emblem of Telangana. This option is incorrect.
  • Option B: The Charminar is a historical monument and mosque located in Hyderabad, and it has been incorporated as the state emblem of Telangana. This option is correct.
  • Option C: Purani Haveli is a historical building in Hyderabad, but it is not a mosque and is not the state emblem of Telangana. This option is incorrect.
  • Option D: Mecca Masjid is a significant mosque in Hyderabad, but it is not a monument and has not been incorporated as the state emblem of Telangana. This option is incorrect.

Mnemonic: C-H-A-R: Charminar, Hyderabad's Architectural Rarity

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