Introduction

Soaring 73 meters (243 feet) into the sky, Qutab Minar was built by Qutab-ud-din Aibak in 1193 to mark his victory over Delhi’s last Hindu kingdom. You can spot five distinct storeys on the tower, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 meter (50 feet) diameter at the base to 2.5 meters (8 feet) at the top. The two top most floors are in marble and sandstone, while the first three are built of red sandstone. At the base of the tower is the first mosque to be built in India, Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid. A highly blasphemous inscription over its eastern gate states that the mosque was built with the material acquired by plundering “27 Hindu temples”!

The construction of the minar was commenced by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, Delhi’s first Muslim ruler, who could only finish the basement. Later his successor, Iltutmish added three more storeys to the monument, followed by Firoz Shah Tughlak who built the fifth and the last storey in 1368. The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tughlaq is quite evident in Qutab Minar. The bands of inscriptions and the four projecting balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets, enthuses you to click some pictures. In its courtyard, you will spot a 7-meter-high (23 feet) iron pillar which if, legend is to be believed, encircled with your hand while standing with your back to it has your wish fulfilled. This Hindu iron pillar of pure rust-resistant iron bears a Sanskrit inscription in the Gupta script. The manufacture of such a pillar that has not deteriorated much in the last 1600 years is a testimony to the metallurgical skill of ancient Indians. Explore some of the architectural elements introduced by Alauddin Khilji in the Qutab Complex. The Ala-i-Darwaza, an ornamental southern gateway to the mosque is characterized by a bulging dome with a central knob, horseshoe arches and lotus-bud fringes on the arches. The tomb of Iltutmish gives you a glimpse into the evolution of Indo-Islamic architecture, with a cenotaph in the centre that was certainly intended to be covered with a dome, as is clear from the squinches that appear for the first time in the structure.

After exploring the ruins, you can stop for a hearty lunch at a restaurant in Marriott Welcome Hotel or try out authentic Mughlai specialties at Qutab Haveli restaurant, in the vicinity. If you are touring Delhi for the first time, it is a good proposition to visit the Qutab Minar, an iconic landmark and an integral part of the country’s cultural heritage.

Special Attributes

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world.

Nuisance

Beggars, touts, pick pockets and hawkers

Dressing restrictions

None, avoid wearing short or revealing clothes.

Connectivity

Interstate bus, train, metro-rail, taxi or auto-rickshaw

Enjoyed by

Families, Backpackers especially history lovers

Exposure

If you are visiting during the day, you will be exposed to the harsh sun. So, carry your sunshades, sunblock cream and a bottle of drinking water.

Avoidable Season

June, July, August

Facilities

Basic, plan accordingly

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction

Tip

Visit the site early in the evening when the sunlight wanes, enabling you to explore the monument better.

Type of site

A historical minaret from the 12th century, at the base of which is the first mosque of India, now in ruins.