Qutab Minar in Delhi India

After making a trip to Red Fort, the most sought after place for tourist visiting the capital is the 72.5 meters high monument called Qutub Minar, situated at the Mehrauli road in the capital city. Qutub Minar is a 5 storied tower with different and unique designs highlighting different floors.

During the Mughal period, they were known for building towers on the occasion of their victories and this minar was said to have been built to celebrate the victory of Mohammed Ghori, the invader from Afghanistan, over the Rajputs in 1192. But the completion process was finished by different rulers. Part of it was completed by his viceroy -- Qutabuddin Aibak -- the first sultan of the Slave dynasty in 1199 AD. After his death, his successor and son-in-law Shamsu'd-Din- Iitutmish completed the structure by adding three more stories to it. Though many stories are uttered regarding the construction of this huge monument. While some say that it was constructed as tower of victory to declare the power of Islam, others have the view that it might have been used as a tower for defense.

Built in red sandstone, this tower sports the messages of rhymes of sacred Quran and some intricate carvings. The lower three stories are made using red sand stone and the top two with marble and sand stone. The minar was completed in 1200 A.D and since then the tall structure has been standing upright and adding beauty to the city. But due to repetitive earthquake jerks experienced by the capital, the minar has received some damage. During the rule of Firoz Shah, the minar's two top floors got damaged due to earthquake but were repaired by him. In the year 1505, the same incident again knocked and henceforth was repaired by Sikandar Lodi. Late, in the year 1794, the minar experienced another earthquake and it was Major Smith, an engineer who repaired the affected parts of the minar.

Some of the other structures that stand erect in the Qutub complex include:

Constructed in 1235 AD, Tomb of Iitutmish is a tomb made up of red sandstone and clearly highlights the Arabic architectural patterns and was built by Shamsu'd-Din Iltutmish himself. This tomb is placed at the northwest direction of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. The tomb has plain and bare exteriors, with lavishly ornamented interiors highlighting geometrical and arabesque patterns observed in Saracenic tradition. Along with this, ancient Hindu patterns, such as wheel, tassel, bell-and-chain, lotus and diamond, can also be seen here.

Alai Minar, constructed by Alud-Din-Khilji is sited north to Qutub Minar with an intention to make it twice the size of Qutub. But according to historical reports, he could complete only one storey and the work was abandoned after his death. Alai Minar is 25meters in height and is the first building to project the Islamic principles of construction and ornamentation. Alai Darwaza, the southern gateway of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque was constructed by Ala-ud-Din Khalji in AD 1311. He also built a madrasa towards the southwest of Qutub Minar which ensured to impart religious education to the children.

Quwwat-ul-Islam is the mosque constructed by Qutub-ud-din in 1198 and is believed to have been built using the carved stone slabs and materials of the remains of Hindu Temples. This structure has been adorned with delicate brocade designs and Islamic inscription.

A famous Iron Pillar was erected in the 4th Century AD is a perfect example of excellent metallurgy used in that era. This pillar rises to a height of 7 meters and weighs more than 6 tons. The Sanskrit inscriptions on the pillar tell that it has been erected as a pole in honour of Hindu god Vishnu and the memory of Chandra Gupta. . It is also suggested that a deep hole on the top of the pillar was used to fit the image of 'Garuda' as the Vehicle of Lord Vishnu. It is made up of 98% wrought iron and it stood the test of time of more than 1600 years with our rust or decomposition. Iron Pillar is said to be brought to Delhi by Anangpal, the Tomar king who founded Delhi.

There are many other installations like madrassas, graves, tombs, mosques in the vicinity of Qutub Minar.