Qutub Minar is a must see structure for all visitors to Delhi. It almost rivals the Taj Mahal in Agra in terms of popularity. But more than the beauty, the structure is what makes this minaret, which is the tallest brick-layered minaret in the world, unique. It was built in 1193. It is a good example of Indo-Arab architecture during that period. It is situated in South Delhi and is 14 kilometers from Connaught Place. The tower is part of the Qutub Minar complex, which is also home to other architectural wonders such as the Iron Pillar and the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.
Qutub Minar was not made in a single section. The first phase was completed in 1193 by Qutub-ud-din Aibak. Historians are divided on why such a tall minaret was built. Some say that Aibak was fascinated by another tall minaret from that time, the Jam Minaret, which was in present-day Afghanistan. Aibak wanted to build a minaret taller than the Jam Minaret. And so the idea for Qutub Minar was born, so goes the most popular version. Others say that it was built as a mark for the victorious conquest of many small kingdoms of North India by Aibak.
Another version is that Qutub Minar was built as part of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, to call the devotees to prayer. Others believe that it was built as a watchtower to protect the city. A minority of historians believe that the construction of the minaret was started by a Hindu king named Prithwiraj Chauhan, who was the last powerful monarch of the Chauhan dynasty. But the clearly Arabic architecture of the minaret and the Arabic verses of the Qur’an inscribed on the walls do not corroborate this version.
Aibak was only able to build the basement of the tower. After Aibak, his nephew and successor Iltumish added one more story to the minaret. But Qutub Minar was built to its current state, later adding the top three floors, by Firuz Shaw Tugluq in 1386. It took almost two centuries for the minaret to be built in the current shape and structure with five cylindrical floors and a balcony. for each floor. Although most historians are of the opinion that the tower is named after Qutub-ud-din Aibak, some suggest that it may have been named after Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, a Sufi saint from Baghdad, who is highly influential in Iltumish.
Qutub Minar has a height of 72 meters. The diameter of the basement is 14.3 meters and the diameter of the upper part is 2.75 meters. It was built with red sand stone. There are 379 steps in the minaret. Counting steps is a very popular activity among tourists. But it takes some effort and energy to get to the top floor. From the top of the minaret, you can have a panoramic view of the city of Delhi. The view is beautiful too, as South Delhi looks lush and picturesque from the top of the tower. Nowadays, if you look at it closely from the outside, the minaret appears tilted to one side.
