One of the most remarkable monuments of the early Sultanate period is Qutub Minar. The area in which it is situated is probably the oldest and regularly inhabited area of Delhi. Its construction was started by the first Sultan of Delhi Sultanate, Qutbuddin Aibak. This tallest minaret also marks the victory of Turks over the Chauhan Dynasty. About its name, there are two beliefs one is that it got this name from its founder, while others argue that minar was given this name in honour of Sufi Saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki. The construction of this structure was completed by the Iltutmish successor of Aibak. Later Sultans also kept on adding some floors and designs to it.
Qutbuddin Aibak was only able to see the construction of the first floor, further work was carried on by Iltutmish. It rises up to the height of 72.5 metres approximately. The diameter of the minar kept on decreasing as it went towards the sky. This historical monument was built mainly in red sandstone, but occasional use of marble and quartzite can also be seen. Differences in the material and structural designs signify the role of different rulers in its construction. One of the uniqueness in this is its balconies. It seems that the balconies of Qutub Minar rise from the building and seem an integral part of it. Every storey has a balcony, completely encircling the monument. These balconies were supported by exquisitely carved stone brackets.
Information Guide
Location: Mehrauli.
Nearest Metro Station: Qutab Minar
Open: All days.
Entry Fee: Rs. 35 (Indians), Rs. 600 (foreigners)
Days Closed: None
