qutb minar
The beginning of construction on this minaret and victory tower in 1199 celebrated the defeat of Hindu rulers over the Delhi Sultanate and ushered in Muslim rule under the Ghurid general and Sultan, Qutb ud-Din Aibak (1206-1210), a conqueror of Tajik descent. He’d only complete the first level, however, and left it to successive dynasties to complete. By 1368, under Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388), the tower was completed in its current form. The minaret is 72 meters (238 ft) high and one must climb 399 internal steps to reach the cupola on top. The associated mosque and surrounding compound were built on the site of previous Hindu temples and elements of those ancient constructions were retained.
The minaret towers over the entire site (if you’ll forgive the pun) and is a truly massive structure.
The Alai Darwaza was built in 1311 and functioned as the southern gateway to the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Since construction at and around Qutb Minar took place over a couple centuries, the differences in architectural styles at what remains of the mosque show the shift from Turkic influence to Persian.
The tomb of Imam Zamin, on the grounds of the Alai Darwaza.
Both surviving and ruined sections of the compound add to the “old” feel of this site, providing a wonderful constrast.
This interesting piece, standing alone in a corner of the UNESCO grounds was constructed during the British Raj. Apparently British Army Major Robert Smith, ordered to make repairs to Qutb Minar following an earthquake in 1828, felt he could improve upon the medieval architecture by adding this cupola to the very top. As is often the case, the major’s overzealous act was overturned in 1848 by a senior British official who found the addition in poor taste. The cupola—from which some of the most iconic pictures of Qutab Minar can now be taken—has since become known as “Smith’s Folly”.
The ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque complex remain impressive. This is what survives of Sultan Alauddin Khilji’s (1296-1316) Tomb and the madrasa built on the site in 1315.
Tomb of Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish (1211-1236)
Sultan Alauddin Kihlji intended the Alai Minar to be a second tower, incredibly twice the size of the Qutb Minar. Construction had only reached the first story—a still impressive 27 meters high—when the sultan died in 1316 and the project was abandoned.
A look at the pillars salvaged from the ancient Hindu temple that stood on the site before being cleared away to construct the minaret and associated mosque.
The “Iron Pillar of Delhi” is thought to have been installed on these grounds in the 11th Century though its origin is suspected to be sometime during the 4th Century AD. The iron is infused with other elements which have prevented rust, keeping it intact for over a millennium. The inscriptions on the 6-ton iron pillar are in ancient sanskrit and sing the praises of an ancient king, Chandragupta II (375-415 AD).
The wonderfully framed view of Qutb Minar taken from within “Smith’s Folly”. Which just goes to show that even when a staff officer’s work is not appreciated . . . it can still hold value!
A deeply historic site I’d never heard of before arriving India, our visit to New Delhi’s Qutb Minar was one of our most memorable and a highly recommended destination!