I am Charminar. I am the landmark of the Hyderabad city which is famous for its masajid, minarets, arches, gardens, devdis, palaces, monuments architectural masterpieces and its ganges-yamuna culture. My admirers see me as the pride of the city and a global icon of Hyderabad.
The anti social elements pass by my side who try to disrupt my beautiful atmosphere by their nefarious acts. They make every effort to harm my existence. Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shahi dynasty built me in 1590 AD, shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to Hyderabad. He built me to commemorate the elimination of a plague epidemic from this city. He prayed for the end of a plague that was ravaging his city and vowed to build a masjid at the very place where he was praying. While laying my foundation, Sultan Quli Qutub Shah prayed: “Oh Allah, Fill this city with people as Thou hast filled the ocean with fish, O Lord!
I am 160 feet tall. Everything was changed after 1950. Attempts to desert me began and entry of namazis was banned. I am riddled with wounds. Grills were installed, I howled with pain, I am pierced with crowbar and I shrieked again, but no one is there to listen to my screams. Department of archeology had promised to ensure my protection but it has maintained criminal silence over my destruction.
An illegal structure has been constructed at my foot. In the process the ventilator grill made with mortar which was installed on the direction of Quli Qutub Shah has been removed. I remained silent it was done under the eyes of the police. I, the landmark monument, have been tampered with for a temple and I have been harmed illegally and unauthorisedly but the archeology department remained mute spectator.