Jinnah Tower

Jinnah Tower is a landmark monument in the city of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. It is named after the father of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and is located on Mahatma Gandhi Road of the city as a symbol of peace and harmony.[1]

Jinnah Tower
Native name
Telugu: జిన్నా టవర్
Urdu: جناح مینار
Jinnah Tower centre in Guntur
LocationGuntur
Coordinates16°17′36.5″N 80°26′51″E
AreaAndhra Pradesh, India
Location of Jinnah Tower in Andhra Pradesh

Structure

The tower was erected on six pillars which open to a dome, typical of the then Muslim architecture in early twentieth century. The tower is currently in a state of neglect and crumbling. According to the State Archaeology Department, the tower could be brought under the list of protected monuments if it has history of more than 60 years.[2]

Origins

About its origins, one story is that a representative of Jinnah, Judaliyaquat Ali Khan, visited Guntur in the pre-Independence era. Khan was felicitated by Lal Jan Basha, the grandfather of the former Telugu Desam Party Rajya Sabha member, S. M. Laljan Basha and present AP State Minorities Commission Chairman S.M.Ziauddin and he got a tower built in the honour of the Muslim League leader.

According to another narrative, two Municipal Chairman, Nadimpalli Narasimha Rao and Tellakula Jalayya were responsible during their respective terms of office for the construction of the tower — as a symbol of peace and harmony.[3]

References
  1. Ajay Mankotia (20 May 2015). "Finding Kamala Nehru in Pakistan, Jinnah in Guntur". NDTV.com.
  2. "The Hindu : Tower of harmony in Guntur".
  3. Staff Reporter. "Jinnah Tower in a state of neglect". The Hindu.
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