Hyderabad's New Culture

The New City

Perhaps next to the Taj, one monument that needs no introduction to Indians and many a well-travelled foreigner is the Charminar. The Charminar, built by Mohammed Quli Qutb shah, constituted the center of the cit from which roads led in the four directions. the four slender minarets, each 48.7 meters high, enclose a tiny mosque on the second floor accessible by twisting spiral stairs. The western section of the roof contains a mosque, ranking among the finest of the work of gifted Qutb Shahi artisans under the guidance of Mir Momin, the Prime Minister, himself an architect of great renown.

A visit to Ma Saheba Tank (now called Masab Tank), Hessian Alam, Bibi Ka Chashma, Hayatnagar Mosque and Hayatnagar village brings to light the unseen hand of the daughter of the 5th king, Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, the wife of the 6 th king, Sultan Mohammed Qutb Shah, and the mother of the VII th king, Sultan Abdullah Quli Qutb Shah- Hayat Bakshi Begum, fondly known as Ma Sheba, the Queen mother was known for her benevolence and service to people.