Qutub Minar
Introduction
Qutub Minar is one of the most imposing monuments of India. You can site Qutub Minar in Mehrauli in the South Delhi. Built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in the year 1199, it is said to be completed by his successor and son in law Shamsu'd-Din- Iltutmish. This tall impressive structure is visited by thousands of travelers every year from all over the world.
Qutub Minar in Delhi has been counted as the highest brick tower in the whole wide world. This five story structure is listed as the World Heritage Site. You will be surely enthralled by the huge structure that withstood all tests of time. This tall monument rises up to 72.5 meters. The base diameter measures up to 14.3 meters and its top diameter of 2.7 meters. There are flights of 379 steps which you have to cover to reach to the top. The three stories from the base are built using red sand stone while the top two stories are made of marble and sand stone.
This great architectural structure was built to propound the prominence of the Islam religion. Another notion is that is was built for defensive purpose. Qutub Minar underwent various repairing works for the restoration of this structure. The Arabic inscriptions on the walls of the tower depict the historical importance of the structure. It was built maintaining the Indo Islamic style of architecture. This building was built after being inspired from the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan.
Close to the Qutub Minar Delhi, within its complex, you will find several structures, which are equally impressive. All these structures are historically important and reflect the richness of the culture.
Architecture of the Minaret
The 73 m (240 ft.) high tapering minaret has a base with diameter 14.3 m (47 ft.) and diameter of 2.7 m (9 ft.) at top. There are six storeys in the minaret with the first three constructed with red sandstone and the next three with sandstone and marble. A circular staircase of 379 steps allows one to reach the top of the tower to witness a panoramic view of the city. Verses from the Qur'an are etched on the bricks of the minaret that are covered with elaborate iron carvings. Each storey of the tower has a projected balcony surrounding the minaret and supported by corbels that are ornamented with Muqarnas or honey-comb vault, a type of architectural ornamented vaulting. The architectural styles developed over different eras starting from the time of Aibak till that of Tughlak as also the materials used in construction of different stages of the tower are conspicuously varied. The tower is tilted from 65 cm above the ground.
When was it built:Construction started in 1192 and completed in 1220. Restoration works/additions were made in 12th century, 14th century and 19th century.
Who built it:Qutb ud-Din Aibak, Iltutmish added 3 storeys, Firoz Shah Tughlaq carried out restoration work.
Height:73 m
Where is it located:Mehrauli in South West district of Delhi, India.
Entry Fee: Indian citizens: Rs. 30/- and for foreign nationals: Rs. 500. Entry is free for children up to 15 years of age.
How to Reach: By Metro - board from any DMRC station and reach Qutb Minar station and then follow rail map to reach the minar; by DTC buses; by Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Service offered by Delhi Tourism.
10 Interesting Facts About the Delhi Qutub Minar
- Qutub Minar means ‘pole’ or ‘axis’ in Arabic
- The Qutub Minar is the highest single tower in India
- The tower marked the site of the first Muslim kingdom in North India
- It was built as a mighty, awesome tower of victory to commemorate the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi
- Qutub Minar was meant to be the prototype of all minars (towers) in India
- It was influenced by the brick victory pillars in Ghazni in Afghanistan
- The iron pillar in the Qutub Minar complex has not rusted after some 2000 years
- Parts of the Qutub Minar complex have been built out of Hindu temples which can be seen clearly in the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid
- The Qutub Minar has been damaged by lightening twice in 1326 and 1368
- Qutub Minar has a Decorative Light Show every evening from 6:30 to 8pm as well as the Qutub Minar Festival in October/November
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