Hyderabad: An exhibition of rare photographs of Charminar by the Deccan Heritage Trust was inaugurated on Sunday. The exhibition was held to celebrate the completion of 425 years since the historic monument was built by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah. The exhibition is on till October 18 at Urdu Hall in Himayatnagar.
Some of the rare photographs include the first time when Charminar was illuminated with electric lights in 1937 on the occasion of 25 years of rule of Osman Ali Khan and a coupon issued by the Nizam to raise money to buy Spitfire fighter aircraft for the Hyderabad Squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
A picture from 1937, provided by the Deccan Heritage Trust, shows Charminar illuminated with electric lights to mark the 25 years of the Sixth Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan’s rule.
The exhibition also features the cover of a book by J.D.B. Gribble, History of Deccan published in 1896 which was the first book to have Charminar on its cover.
Some photographs bring out the minute differences in Charminar’s architecture like the presence of an ornamental madanah on the east and west faces of the monument which is not seen on the other two sides.
Sketches of the monument made before photography was invented are also part of the exhibition. The oldest sketch dates back to 1840.
The Deccan Heritage Trust demanded that as part of the 425 years of Charminar, the Centre should issue a commemorative stamp and coin to mark the event. The exhibition was scheduled for October 9 but was postponed to Sunday.
