Qutab Minar, Delhi

1 more image

The Qutb complex is only a short distance south of Delhi and is filled with various monuments in varying states of ruin. The most notable attraction in this World Heritage Site is the towering Qutb Minar. The first ruler of the era known as the Slave or Mamluk Dynasty was Qutbuddin Aybak and he constructed this complex around the late 1100’s. He was in fact a slave of Mahmud of Ghor who invaded India. Mahmud made him the viceroy but when he died, Qutbuddin declared himself the Sultan and became the first Muslim ruler of Delhi.

Open : Sunrise to Sunset

4 more images

The tower, which is the center of the complex, was started in 1193 and its highest stories, which are 238 feet high, were finished in 1368. My guide, who claimed to be an archaeologist though I have my doubts, said it is now thought that they built it as a sundial. The ruins of the buildings erected around it are an interesting walk into the past as well.

1 more image

The Iron Pillar in the courtyard of Qutab Minar bears an inscription in Sanskrit in Brahmi script of 4th century AD, according to which the pillar was set up as a Vishnudhvaja (standard of Lord Vishnu) on the hill known as Vishnupada in memory of a mighty king named Chandra. A deep socket on the top of the ornate capital indicates that probably an image of Garuda was fixed into it.

It is said, if you stand with your back to the pillar and try putting your arms around it, most people cannot touch their fingers to each other. Those who can are the "lucky" ones!!

Perhaps the most striking monument of Delhi is Qutub Minar. The construction of the 278ft high Qutub Minar was started by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi and Firoz Shah Tughlaq completed it in 1368.

In the courtyard of the Quwat-ul-Islam Masjid, there is a 7m high wrought iron pillar that belonged to the Gupta Age. The Pillar withstood centuries of exposure to the nature without rusting, an indication of technological advancement at that period

4 more images

Qutab Minar - In 1199, Qutbuddin raised the Qutab Minar either as a victory tower or as a minaret to the adjacent mosque. From a base of 14.32 mtrs. it tapers to 2.75 mtrs. at a height of 72.5 mtrs. It is still the highest stone tower in India, one of the finest stone tower in India, one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised and Delhi's recognised landmark. It was completed by the Sultan's successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The tomb of Iltutmish, which he himself built in 1235, is nearby, Its interiors are profusely decorated with calligraphy, though the dome has collapsed.
Entrance Fee Rs 250

Taken from Arabic, means axis or pole [qutb]. An historic place where Qutbuddin Aibak laid the foundation of Delhi Sultanate.
This Qutb Minar built to announce the advent of Muslim sultans and the tower content of five storeyed Victory Tower.
Also in this complex:
~ Alauddin Khilji's Tomb
~ Iltutmish's Tomb
~ Imam Zamin's Tomb
~ Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
~ Alai Darwaza, the gateway

In the grounds at the Qutab Minar stands an iron pillar which is approximately 1600 years old
It is remarkable because of the purity of the iron and the fact that it does not rust [ unlike my 6 month old wok ]
No one knows how the pillar was cast, and nothing else like it is known. It has not always been here, it is thought that originally it was situated outside a temple in Bilhar

This is a beautiful tower was built in the 13th century.It is over 70metres tall and was renovated a short while ago, it looks very impressive, although it does lean a little.
some years after it was built the then ruler decided to build another tower twice as high as this one, however he died before work was completed and the ruin stands close by

the first mosque in India was built at the foot of the Qutab Minar, and there are also several tombs in the grounds

entrance to the area costs 250 rupees, camcorder fee is 25 rupees
it is open daily from sunrise to sunset