What are the historical facts of Qutub Minar ?

Qutub Minar Complex basically includes Iron Pillar (not rusted for over 1600 years – an unsolved mystery till now!) of installed by Emperor Ashoka and Alai Minar.

Iron Pillar - It stands in the courtyard of Quwwat-ul- Islam mosque, this 7m high Iron Pillar, inside the Qutub Complex. 2 facts make this place interesting – the 6 line original Sanskrit inscriptions of A.D. 413 era.

Held in October - November in Qutub Minar Complex. This festival includes several days of Sufi singing and Indian Classical music as well as dance performances. It’s generally free and all are invited. Thousands throng in; in the chilling winters of Delhi as the festive rises from evening 8:00 p.m. till 03:00 a.m. in the morning!

Qutub Minar is named after Qutb al-Din Aibak – the founder of Delhi Sultanate.
Qutub ad-Din Aibak only started the Minaret with a basement and then another 3 floors were added by his successor Iltutmish

The Qutub Minar was perceived as the symbol of the beginning of Muslim rule in India.
After being destroyed by lightning Ferozshah Tuglaq overtook all the restoration work and added another 2 floors making it a total of 5 floors.

Quwwat-us-Islam Mosque – was the first mosque to be built in India ever resides in the premises of Qutub Minar

Despite being a Muslin landmark in India, it was built by Hindu artisans.
Till 1981, the public was allowed to visit the top of the tower. In December 1981, because of a stampede, around 50 people were killed.

Despite being a Muslin landmark in India, it was built by Hindu artisans.
Till 1981, the public was allowed to visit the top of the tower. In December 1981, because of a stampede, around 50 people were killed.

The height of Qutub Minar and Taj Mahal is almost equal as Qutub Minar loses by a small edge. The height of Qutub Minar is 72.5 meters while Taj Mahal’s height is 73 meters.

Qutub Minar’s history dates back towards the end of 11th century when Qutb al-Din Aibak, the founder of Delhi Sultanate started its construction. Around 1220, Iltumish – Aibak’s successor and son-in-law added three more towers to the first tower consisting only of a basement.

Somewhere around 1360’s lightning struck the tower destroying its third – topmost at that time – completely. After that, Ferozshah Tuglaq restored the tower and added two more floors.

Qutub Minar tops in the list of historical monuments in Delhi mainly because of its architecture and unique design. The architecture of Qutub Minar is Islāmic but it also depicts the Iranian architectural style. Taking a close look at the Minaret, one can easily find the difference in the architectural styles and the different stones used.

The below three floors are of red sandstone which is rather pale in colour, the fourth tower is clearly identified as pure white marble and the last one a mixture of both.

There are 379 stairs in Qutub Minar to reach the top, although they are not accessible to tourists. The height of Qutub Minar is 239.5 feet or 72.5 meters and the base diameter is 47 feet / 14.3 meters and the diameter reduces to 2.7 meters on top.

Visiting Qutub Minar using Delhi Metro is one of the best mediums. Prior to Delhi metro, there were options of buses or auto rickshaws. But Delhi metro now conveniently send us quite near to Qutub Minar. As the area surrounding the Qutub Minar is covered under dense forest, the metro station is at about 3 km.