Qutub Minar, a seventy three-meter (240 ft) tall tower built with Crimson or Red sandstone and marble, isn’t always most effective the tallest brick minaret in the world but also one of the most famous ancient monument in India.
The construction of this Tower of Victory become initiated by the founding father of the Mamluk Dynasty in Delhi, Qutb Ud-Din Aibak, and finished through his successor and son-in-law Iltutmish.
Located in the coronary heart of Delhi, India, this UNESCO World Heritage Site, seen from one-of-a-kind parts of the town, draws the visitors each day in thousands together. It is one of the most popular traveler choices in India and other countries.
Qutub Minar Information
a) It was built by – Qutub Minar construction work was started in the year 1192 by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak and was totally completed by his son in law “Iltutmish”.
b) When did Qutub Minar was built – The construction started in the year 1192 and completed in the year 1220.
c) Qutub Minar Height – It is 73m(240 ft).
d) Style of Construction – Indo-Islamic Architectural style.
e) Qutub Minar Timings – 7:00am to 5:00pm(Daily)
Tickets
- Entry Fees – Indians – Rs. 30/-
- Other Nationalities – Rs. 500/-
- Children Up to 15 Years Free
- Official Website – www.delhitourism.gov.in
History of Qutub Minar
The Qutub Minar construction work was started in the year 1192 by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak and was totally completed by his son in law Iltutmish. The construction of Kutub Minar has a bloody history associated with it.
It is believed that Qutb-ud-din-Aibak destroyed about 28 Jain and Hindu temples to collect building material for Kutub Minar.
The area surrounding the Kutub Minar is full of other Muslim ruins and buildings and all these architectures together are known as the “Kutub Complex”.
The city of Delhi which is also the capital of India is full of monuments that goes back to the Mughal and Muslim Era of India.
Even in those times Delhi used to be the capital of India and was therefore jeweled with many archaeological heritage sites and Kutub Minar is one of them. Kutub Minar is one of those Delhi monuments for which Delhi is famous.
The Architecture of Kutub Minar
Kutub Minar is believed to be the second tallest tower in India. It has projected balconies with honeycomb designs. These balconies are further supported by stone brackets and give a whole new look to its architecture.
Like most of the Delhi monuments, Kutub Minar also is a symbol of the Muslin Architecture and Muslim Era in India. It said to be inspired by the Minaret of Jam which is situated in Afghanistan.
The creator of Kutub Minar, Qutb-ud-din-Aibak is said to be the first Muslin ruler of the throne of Delhi and he ordered for the construction of this minaret in 1193.
The walls are made of red stone and have verses from Quran scribbled all over it. The various inscriptions on the walls of Kutub Minar also narrate the full history of this building.
The narrations tell that Kutub Minar was destroyed and revived many times. Two great rulers who revived this minaret from time to time include Firoz Shah Tughlaq and Sikandar Lodhi.
Quwwat Ul Islam is the mosque that is built on the northeast side of Kutub Minar and is considered to be the part of Kutub Minar.
This mosque was built in 1198 AD and used the construction material of the same destroyed Hindu temples that were used in the construction of Qutub Minar.
The mosque was later enlarged by a coffee shaped arch Allaud-in-Khliji and Iltutmish. There is also an Iron Pillar situated in the courtyard which contains Sanskrit scripts that date back to the 4 AD.
The myth associated with this Iron Pillar is that anyone who can fully encircle their hands around the diameter of this pillar with their back to the pillar will have his wish granted.
Also read: Subhash Chandra Bose Information
Qutub Minar Facts
* There are many stories about the naming of this tower. Some say that it was named after the first Turkic sultan Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and some believe that it was named to honor Qutubbudin Bakhtiar Kaki, a saint.
* The Ancient Islamic Monument has about 379 stairs and is 237 toes tall. It has a diameter of 14.3 meters at the lowest which decreases to 2.4 meters at the pinnacle. Qutub Minar is made up of red sandstone and has Arabic inscriptions on it.
* Many other ancient monuments surrounded the main Qutub Minar, so collectively know as Qutub Complex.
* Interesting fact is if you observe carefully left the side and right side, left side is the Juma Masjid and right side Qutub Minar, it has only some 100 feet distance but see the difference of the structure where we can find even Hindu gods and balipeetam.
So it is a really confusing structure because many times it has been changed from the origin, we don’t know what the truth is still it remained a mystery.
