Qutub Minar Quick Facts

PlaceMehrauli, Delhi
Built in1193 to 1368
Built byQutbuddin Aibak, Iltutmish and Firoz Shah Tughlaq
TypeTower
Architectural styleIslamic Architecture
Current ControllerIndian Government
UNESCO World Heritage SiteSince 1983

Qutub Minar Overview

Qutub Minar is one of the most famous tourist places in India's capital New Delhi. Qutub Minar is located in the south of Delhi in the Mehrauli area. It is the tallest tower in India and the world made of brick. It was approved by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the year 1983.

Qutub Minar History

The construction work of Qutub Minar was started in the year 1193 by Qutubuddin Aibak, the first ruler of Delhi Sultanate, but could only get its base built. Its ground part was built on the ruins of Lal Kot fort of Dhilka. Later his successor Iltutmish got three storeys built in it.

The top floor of the minaret was damaged by lightning in 1369 and was rebuilt by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, who added another storey. In 1505, an earthquake damaged the Qutub Minar and it was repaired by Sikandar Lodi.

British Indian Army Chief Robert Smith rebuilt the tower in 1828 and installed a pillared cupola. In the year 1848, the cupola was taken down under the instructions of the Governor General of India, The Viscount Hardinge. This minaret is a great example of Mughal architecture.

Qutub Minar Interesting Facts

  1. It was named after Muslim Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.
  2. In Arabic, 'Qutb' is called an 'axis', 'axis', 'centre point' or 'pillar or pillar'. It is an astronomical word, thus Qutub Minar also means celestial pillar or tower.
  3. It has a height of 72.5 m (237.86 ft) and a diameter of 14.3 m.
  4. It has a total of 379 stairs which are made in circular.
  5. It is one of the tallest minarets in conical shape with a base diameter of 14.3 m and a top diameter of 2.7 m.
  6. Qutub Minar leans only 65 cm from the vertical but is considered to be within safe limits.
  7. It is constructed in the Indo-Islamic architectural style using red sandstone and marble.
  8. Red sandstone is used to build its first three storeys, while marble and sandstone have been used to build the fourth and fifth storeys later.
  9. It is the second tallest tower in India. The first tallest tower of India is Fateh Burj, which is located in Chappad Chidi, Mohali (Punjab).
  10. It also houses a mosque named Quwwat-ul-Islam at its base, which is believed to be the first mosque built in India.
  11. An Iron pillar with a Brahmi inscription having a height of 7 meters is also present in the Qutb complex.
  12. Many verses of the Qur'an (the holy mythological scripture of Muslims) have also been written on its walls.
  13. Prior to 1974, the general public was allowed access to the top of the minaret via internal stairs, but 47 were killed and some were injured in an accident on 4 December 1981, after which the tower was closed to the public.
  14. According to some people and historians, Qutub Minar is also called Vishnu Pillar.
  15. Qutub Minar is one of the famous tourist places of the country, every year many people from different parts of the world come to see it.
  16. The Ministry of Tourism has recently given 'Letters of Intent' for fourteen monuments to seven companies under its 'Adopt a Heritage Scheme', which also includes the Qutub Minar monument.
  17. Its photograph has been mentioned on the travel card issued by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
  18. Qutub Minar opens at 6 am on all days of the week and closes at 6 pm.

  Last update :  Wed 3 Aug 2022
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  Post Category :  Famous Towers