The Qutub Minar in Delhi is a towering landmark which never fails to fascinate its vistors. It is the first thing you see from plane while reaching Delhi. From the above you can see a tall minaret standing alone with lush green background. It forms a part of Qutub Complex and is UNESCO World Heritage site.
The tower is located In Mehrauli area of Delhi. It is the most visit destination next to Taj Mahal. But things got changed in 2006 and the momument became most visited place even beating Taj Mahal. It is 234 feet high and the highest indiviual tower in the world.
History
The tower was built to celeberate Muslim dominance in the capital of country after the death of last Hindu ruler. Construction was started by Qitub-ud-Din Aibak, but he only constructed basement. The later construction was taken over by his sucessor lltumish who build three more stories.
The last two stories were completed by Firoz Shah Tuglak. Different architectural styles from time of Aibak to Tughlak are clearly visible in the monument. It was built with red and buff sandstone covered with intericate patterns and verses from the Holy Quran. All five storeys of the tower are sorrounded by projected balcony and supported by strong brackets which are decorated with Honeycomb designs.
Reasons to visit the Tower
- The height of the monument is 72.5 meters. There are 379 stairs inside whih leads you to top.
- The minar is sorrounded by several great historical monuments and all of them together are referred to as “Qutub Complex”
- The minaret is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset which is plus point for visitors to see the senic view of the monument in different periods of the day.
- The minar was used as a watch tower to keep an eye on territories of the complex and ensure no trespasser enters the complex.
Inside Qutub Complex
Iron Pillar
At first glance it looks like an ordinary pillar, as you get closer you will be astonished to see an iron pillar which is standing tall without a single rust on it. Pillar stands in the middle of an empty square in the complex. The history of pillar is dates backs to 375-415 C.E. and was constructed by Chandragupta ll.
Tomb of lltumish
The tomb was built in 1235 A.D. Enterance of tomb is decorated with intericate patterns making it beautiful example of Indian Heritage. It was constructed with new material not making use of reamins used in other buildings in the Qutub Complex. Tomb is considerd as a scared place of workship and even today you can find people visiting the tomb for offering prayers.
Alai Darwaza
Alai Darwaza is the main gate from the southern side of Quwaat- ul- Mosque in the Qutub Minar Complex. Built by Allaudin Khilji the sultan of Delhi in 1131 AD the gate has domed the enterance which is constructed using red sandstone and is adorned with white marble.
Alai Minar
The minar is an unfinished tower in the Qutub Complex. Constructed was started by Alaudin Khilji and came to halt in 1316 following the death of him. Today the massive red rubble structure stands at a height of 2.5 meters.
Few nearby attractions
- Tom of Adham Khan
- Drgah of Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bhaktiar Kaki
- Zafar Mahal
- Jahaz Mahal
- Tomb of Balban
- Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb
Current situation of Monument
Even after more than eight centuries since its foundation Qutub Minar stands erect. The Archaeological Survey of India looks after the prservation work. Despite being old and few kilometers away from city centre the tower attracts more than million tourists each year.
Qutub Minar is a symbol of Indian culture, to all the history lovers and enthusiats this place is must visit for them to explore about the important events happens in the golden history of country.
Visit the monument and have fun exploring the Mughal history of our country!
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