What are the historical facts of Qutub Minar ?

5.  There are 379 stairs inside the minaret to reach the top.

There are more than half a dozen other minor monuments in the Qutub Minar Complex, that include mosques, tombs and pillars

There is a mosque called Quwwat-Ul-Islam, built in the same compound as the minaret. Though in ruins, it is noted to be the first mosque built in India.

The arches of the extension are nearer to the true arch and are similar to the Gothic arch that appeared in Europe at this time. The decoration is Islamic. Almost 100 years after Iltutmish’s death, the mosque was enlarged again, by Ala-ud-din Khalji. The conductor of tireless and bloody military campaigns, Ala-ud-din proclaimed himself ‘God’s representative on earth’. His architectural ambitions, however, were not fully realized, because on his death in 1316 only part of the north and east extensions were completed.

6. It is also the first Indian monument to have an E-ticket facility. The entry fee to look at this magnificent minaret is Rs 10.

In the 14th century, Alauddin Khilji commissioned of another, taller, and more beautiful minaret. However the construction stopped soon after his death. What remains today resembles a stub of the intended minaret. Looks like the Qutub Minar was meant to be what it is today!

There are 379 stairs inside the minaret to reach the top.

When Ala-ud-din made his additions to the mosque he also conceived a far more ambitious construction program. He aimed to build a second tower of victory, exactly like the Qutb Minar, but twice as high! By the time of his death the tower had reached 27m and no one was willing to continue his overambitious project. Known as Ala’i Minar, the incomplete tower, a solid stack of rubble, stands to the north of the Qutub Minar and the mosque.

7. This minaret is definitely one of India’s assets, not only has it survived damages from an earthquake from the 16th century, it has also survived being struck by lightnings twice in the 14th century.

Ala-ud-din did complete the south gateway to the building, the Ala’i Darwaza; it was built of red sandstone in 1311 and is just southwest of the Qutub Minar. This exquisite gateway is the main entrance to the whole complex. It is also one of the earliest buildings in India to employ the Islamic principles of arched construction.

8. In the 19th century, there was a sixth storey to be added to the minar, a cupola, which was brought down since it didn’t look appealing. You can visit the cupola.

It is also the first Indian monument to have an E-ticket facility. The entry fee to look at this magnificent minaret is Rs 10.

Ala-ud-din benefited from events in Central Asia: since the early 13th century, Mongol hordes from Central Asia fanned out east and west, destroying the civilization of the Seljuk Turks in West Asia, and refugee artists, architects, craftsmen and poets fled east. They brought to India features and techniques that had developed in Byzantine Turkey, some of which can be seen in the Ala’i Darwaza.

9. There is a 2,000 years old iron pillar in the complex that hasn’t rusted in over two centuries.

Qutub Minar is a must visit place in Delhi and for its historic significance and breath taking appeal.

This minaret is definitely one of India’s assets, not only has it survived damages from an earthquake from the 16th century, it has also survived being struck by lightnings twice in the 14th century.

10. There are more than half a dozen other minor monuments in the Qutub Minar Complex, that include mosques, tombs and pillars.

This 4th-century pillar, originally made as a flagstaff in Vishnu’s honour, is a tribute to ancient Indian metallurgy. This 7m-high pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque and it was here a long time prior to the mosque’s construction. A six-line Sanskrit inscription indicates that it was initially erected outside a Vishnu temple, possibly in Bihar, and was raised in memory of Chandragupta II, who ruled from AD 375 to 413.

11. In the 14th century, Alauddin Khilji commissioned of another, taller, and more beautiful minaret. However the construction stopped soon after his death.

You can’t visit the Indian capital and not catch a glimpse of Qutub Minar from up close.

In the 19th century, there was a sixth storey to be added to the minar, a cupola, which was brought down since it didn’t look appealing. You can visit the cupola.

What remains today resembles a stub of the intended minaret. Looks like the Qutub Minar was meant to be what it is today!

The Qutub Minar has a religious significance to it aside from history which makes it way more interesting for the foreign nationals.

1. Qutub Minar Is The Tallest Brick Minaret In The World

There is a 2,000 years old iron pillar in the complex that hasn’t rusted in over two centuries.