Travel information on Qutab Minar Delhi

Qutab Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of success, integrated in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak instantly after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has 5 distinct floors, each marked by a forecasting veranda and tapers from a 15 m size at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made from red sandstone; the fourth and fifth floors are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the very first mosque to be integrated in India. An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively notifies that it was constructed with material acquired from demolishing '27 Hindu temples'. A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be satisfied.

The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in debate. Some believe it was erected as a tower of success to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it acted as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer.

Nobody can, nevertheless, conflict that the tower is not just one of the finest monoliths in India, but also in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the very first Muslim ruler of Delhi, started the building and construction of the Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, however could only end up the basement. His follower, Iltutmush, added 3 more floors, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last floor.

The advancement of architectural designs from Aibak to Tughlak is quite obvious in the minar. The relief work and even the materials utilized for building and construction vary. The 238 feet Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to 9 feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented by bands of engravings and by four forecasting verandas supported by elaborately decorated brackets. Even though in ruins, the Quwwat Ui Islam (Light of Islam) Mosque in the Qutab complex is among the most magnificent structures on the planet. Qutab-ud-din Aibak started its building in 1193 and the mosque was finished in 1197.

Iltutmush in 1230 and Alla-ud-din Khilji in 1315 made additions to the building. The primary mosque makes up of an inner and external courtyard, embellished with shafts and surrounded by piller. Many of these shafts are from the 27 Hindu temples, which were plundered to build the mosque. It is, for that reason, not unexpected that the Muslim mosque has common Hindu ornamentation. Close to the mosque is one of Delhi's a lot of curious antiques, the Iron Pillar.

At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be constructed in India. A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the yard of the mosque. Many of these shafts are from the 27 Hindu temples, which were ransacked to construct the mosque. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Muslim mosque has normal Hindu ornamentation.

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