Who hasn’t heard of Hyderabad’s Char Minar? It was built in the 16th century and defines the city.
But recently I saw another Char Minar ( pronounced Chor Minar in the local language) in Bukhara, Uzbekistan.
Is there a connection?
Quite possible because the builder of this char minar was a rich merchant living & trading in Bukhara, who it is possible saw it in India on one of his business trips and got inspired.
“Chor-Minor“ (“Four minarets“) was built in
1807 by a rich Turkmen merchant Haliph Niyazkul.
There is a small yard surrounded by hujras ( Cells) around the madrasa and a small mosque in form of a columnaded ai an.
madrasah includes a small yard surrounding the main building.
One of the towers contains a staircase leading to the second floor of the domed hall. It housed a library, where precious manuscripts were preserved.
The reason why a Hyderabad connection is possible is because Central Asia does not have similar architecture.
The Hyderabad Charminar is of course larger and it’s minarets soar considerably higher than the Bukhara one.
Since the tops of the minarets bear a resemblance to the Kalan ( Kalyan) minaret in Bukhara, it would have been replicated by local artisans and craftsmen on a description by the merchant.
The insides of the monument is now taken over by shops selling suzani embroidery and trinkets.
I am sure the merchant’s heart must be full.
