Qutub Minar, Delhi

Qutub Minar is a victory tower or minaret that is part of the Qutub complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mehrauli neighbourhood of Delhi. Qutub Minar, standing at a height of 238 feet (72.5 meters), is Delhi’s second-tallest structure. Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, began building it in 1192 after overthrowing Delhi’s last Hindu ruler. Iltutmish, his son-in-law and heir, took on the construction after he finished building the basement, adding three more storeys. Firoz Shah Tuglak constructed the building’s fourth and fifth stories.

History of Qutub Minar

Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first king of the Delhi Sultanate, constructed Qutub Minar in 1192 as a monument to his triumph against the last Hindu empire in Delhi. It’s unclear if Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, a Sufi saint, was honoured by the minaret. Iltutmish, Aibak’s successor, added three extra levels to the monument after Aibak had completed the basement.

Regretfully, there were a few natural calamities that affected this ancient site. Severe lightning struck the top story of the minaret in AD 1369, utterly destroying it. Subsequently, Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq added a second story of marble and red sandstone to the monument’s reconstruction. Again in 1505, the minaret was destroyed by an earthquake. The top two stories of the minaret were rebuilt using marble by the Sultan at the time, Sikandar Lodi.

It wasn’t the end there. On September 1, 1803, a strong earthquake struck the monument once more. Major Robert Smith of the British Indian Army repaired it in 1828 after it had been reduced to a wreck. A cupola was also added by him on the tower’s summit. On Henry Hardinge’s orders, the then-Governor-General of India, it was removed in 1848. Currently, that cupola is located east of Qutub Minar on the ground floor.

Architecture of Qutub Minar

Rising to a height of 240 feet, the amazing Qutub Minar has a base diameter of 14.3 meters and a top diameter of 2.7 meters. One can reach the summit of the monument via the 379-step spiral staircase. Additionally, it tilts somewhat from 65 meters above ground. Marble and red sandstone were used in the construction of the five-story structure.

Each floor features an outstretched balcony supported by corbels that encircles the minaret. It is a quintessential illustration of Indo-Islamic design. It is clear that different monarchs built the tower at different times based on the variations in architectural styles and building materials.

Red stone makes up the first three stories, which are quite light in colour. Since the fourth one is composed of marble, it is white. Sandstone makes up the last story. Quranic verses are etched on the minaret alongside other inscriptions in Nagari and Parso-Arabic characters.

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Qutub Festival

The Qutub Festival is a three-day celebration that takes place in Qutub Minar in November and December to honour the monument’s grandeur and show off its former splendour to the globe. The Sahitya Kala Parishad and the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation jointly organise it. People from all over the world are drawn to the event by its cultural performances and artistic displays. It features some excellent classical and folk musicians. Qutub Minar receives the recognition it deserves at this festival on a national and worldwide scale. The monument is revitalised and given new life throughout the three days of music and dance. The delicious regional cuisine being served at the food vendors adds to the event’s razzmatazz.

Best Time To Visit Qutub Minar

Delhi experiences extremely hot summers, thus it’s best to visit and discover the city in the winter. The best time to visit Delhi is from October to March. It takes visitors two hours on average to explore the complex.

How To Reach Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar is incredibly easy to go to once you’re in Delhi. You may easily get there in a taxi or an autorickshaw. Qutub Minar Metro Station, which is located on the Yellow Line, is the closest metro station to Qutub Minar. Three km is how far it is from the monument. There are plenty of parking spaces near Qutub Minar. It is easy for visitors to park their autos. Only 800 meters separate the Qutub Minar from its designated parking space.