Qutb Shahi architecture

The style reached its zenith during the reign of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, who founded the city of Hyderabad and constructed the Charminar as its centerpiece.

The towers generally taper upwards, and each upper balcony is smaller than its lower counterparts.

The most common type is square, highly influenced by the Bahmani and Barid Shahi tombs.

The Charminar is a large building, square in plan, having an arch in each of its faces and a lofty decagonal minaret at each of its angles.

[11] To the north of the Charminar is the Gulzar Houz fountain, which is surrounded by four arches called the Char Kaman.

There used to be other Qutb Shahi palaces, as well as a rose garden in the vicinity, but they were probably destroyed during the Siege of Golconda.

The Qutb Shahi rulers built elaborate caravanserais, or resthouses, including the Shaikpet Sarai and Taramati Baradari.

The former had had 30 rooms, stables for horses and camels, a mosque and a tomb of an unknown sufi saint.