In India, the second-tallest historical monument is the Qutub Minar, located in Delhi at Aurobindo Marg, Mehrauli. The monument is a 73-metre tall tower with a base diameter of 14.3 metres, a top diameter of 2.7 metres, 379 staircases, and a five-storey building. It was built to celebrate the victory of the Mughals over the Rajputs and is called the victory tower. Qutub Minar is made in a unique architectural style using red sandstones and marble. It is considered a very famous building worldwide and is also included in the list of world heritage sites.
Who Built the Qutub Minar?
Qutab-ud-Din Aibak started the construction of Qutub Minar, but his son-in-law Iltutmish completed it in 1200. A.D., the entire structure of the Minar was completed. It is considered an excellent masterpiece of the Mughals, carved beautifully with several storeys. Qutub Minar attracts lakhs of visitors every year, and people come from various places. The historical monument has faced natural disasters like earthquakes, but fortunately, it was restored and renovated by multiple rulers of that time. Firoz Shah renovated its top two floors that were damaged in the earthquake. Sikander Lodi, in 1505, carried out another restoration, and in 1794 Major Smith repaired the damaged part of the Minar. The visiting hours start at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. every day of the week.
Structure of Qutub Minar
Many years ago, the Minar was built using sandstones, red stones and marble. The Minar consists of several flanged and cylindrical shafts and balconies on separate storeys. Qutub Minar’s first three levels were built using red stones, and the fourth and fifth storeys used sandstone and marble. At this Minar, the first mosque in India was built, Quwwat-ul-Islam. The Minar walls are inscribed with different verses of the Quran. The wall also speaks about history written in Devanagari and Arabic characters. An iron pillar of 7 metres inside the Qutub complex is inscribed with Brahmic inscriptions.
Qutub Minar as a Tourist Destination
Qutub Minar is a famous tourist attraction spot, including the other structures surrounding it. Tourists from many corners of the world come here every year to see the beauty of this unique historical monument. It is an ancient belief that one who encircles the iron pillar in the courtyard of the Minar with hands by standing in front of it with his back would get all his wishes fulfilled.
The Beauty of Qutub Minar
Tourists and visitors get attracted by the green garden around the Qutub Minar. It is one of the most famous and beautiful tourist destinations in India. Tourists from all over the world come to visit the monument, and it is the most visited historical monument in India.
Another adjoining tower to the Qutub Minar is Alai Minar. Qutub Minar also symbolises the strength and victory of Islam and serves the purpose of calling people to pray in the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. In Delhi, it is also considered one of the attractive tourist destinations, visited mainly by students and children during the winter and summer vacations.
Conclusion
One can see the true power of art and architecture when one visits the Qutub Minar. People from faraway countries visit the monument, but unfortunately, it has become a bit neglected over time. It was the first tower built by the Mughal ruler when he was alive. When they visit Delhi, tourists visit Qutub Minar and the other surrounding structures. Tourists from many corners of the world come here every year to see the beauty of this unique historical monument.
The weather there is chilly at times and sometimes scorching with punishing hot winds. There are a lot of street food stalls to indulge oneself in while visiting the Qutub Minar. They serve finger-licking foods like Chaat, Papdi, Tandoor Momos and Chole Bhature. It indeed serves as a foodie’s paradise. One can even do street shopping in Khan Market and Janpath close by.
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