What are the historical facts of Qutub Minar ?

On 4 December 1981, the staircase lighting failed. Between 300 and 430 visitors stampeded towards the exit, and 47 were killed in the crush and some were injured. Most of these were school children.

What the inscription does not tell is how it was made, for the iron in the pillar is of exceptional purity. Scientists have never discovered how the iron, which has not rusted after some 2000 years, could be cast using the technology of the time.

This is the first mosque that was built in the country. The eastern gate of the mosque holds an inscription stating that the construction material used for building the mosque comes from demolition of several temples.

Since then, the tower has been closed to the public.

Built in 1235, Iltutmish’s Tomb lies in the northwest of the compound, midway along the west wall of the mosque. It is the first surviving tomb of a Muslim ruler in India. Two other tombs also stand within the extended Might of Islam Mosque.

A long iron pillar stands in the courtyard. It is said that if one encircles the pillar with both hands (embrace the pillar), his wishes are fulfilled.

The idea of a tomb was quite alien to Hindus, who had been practising cremation since around 400 BC. Blending Hindu and Muslim styles, the outside is relatively plain with three arched and decorated doorways.

Other significant features are inner and outer courtyard, graves, tombs, madrasa and others. The tourists are not allowed to climb up the tower, today.

The interior carries reminders of the nomadic origins of the first Muslim rulers. Like a Central Asian yurt (tent) in its decoration, it combines the familiar Indian motifs of the wheel, bell, chain and lotus with the equally familiar geometric arabesque patterning. The west wall is inset with three mihrabs that indicate the direction of Mecca.

Qutub Minar is located in Mehrauli region of Southwest Delhi. You can easily find cabs and autos from any part of the city.

To the southwest of the uncompleted Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, an L-shaped ruin marks the site of Ala-ud-din Khalji’sTomb within the confines of a madrasa (college).

You can easily reach the monument via local bus and metro. The nearest metro station is Qutub Minar station.

This is the first time in India that a tomb and madrasa are found together, another custom inherited from the Seljuks. Immediately to the east of the Ala’i Darwaza stands the Tomb of Imam Zamin, an early 16th-century sufi ‘saint’ from Turkestan. It is an octagonal structure with a plastered sandstone dome and has jali screens, a characteristic of the Lodhi style of decoration.

During tourism season, you can choose to ride the hop on hop off sightseeing bus tour provided by tourism department.

There are some summer palaces in the area and also the tombs of the last kings of Delhi, who succeeded the Mughals. An empty space between two of the tombs was intended for the last king of Delhi, who died in exile in Yangon, Burma (Myanmar), in 1862, following his implication in the 1857 First War of Independence.

The monument is less untainted with season. The Qutub Minar is at prime beauty throughout the year.

Below are asnwers to some of most frequently asked questions about the Qutub Minar in Delhi. If you have a question that is not mentioned below, please leave your question in the ‘Comments’ section at the end of the page.

Delhi has very harsh summer, which is dehydrating and very humid. Thus, it is better to avoid summer season, which starts in March and ends in June.

Qutub Minar was built by the Mughal invader and first Mughal ruler of North India, Qutub-ud-din-Aibak.

The monsoon is pleasant but the city receives heavy rainfall making sightseeing, very uncomfortable.

In 1193, Qutub-ud-din-Aibak built the first three storeys of the Qutub Minar. Over the following years, his son-in-law added a fourth storey and Firoz Shah Tughluq added the fifth.

hus, avoid monsoon season, which starts in July and ends in September.

The Qutub Minar was built as a mighty, awesome tower of victory immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It was also intended to serve as the minaret attached to the Might of Islam Mosque. From here the muezzin could call the faithful to prayer.

The winter season starts in October and ends in March.

The Qutub Minar is nearly 73m high and tapers from a 15m-diameter base to a mere 2.5m at the top.