Qutub Minar: World’s Tallest Brick Minaret

The Qutub Minar is a world-famous structure that stands in the country’s capital, Delhi. It is located in Mehrauli,  and it is 240 meters in height and has five floors with a staircase that winds its way to the top. A building of great historical importance, its construction began in 1192 by Qutb Uddin Aibak when he took over the region.

A special feature is that the first three floors of Iltutmish were built with red sandstone, while the other two floors were built with marble and sandstone by Emperor Firoz Shah Tughlaq at different times. The majestic architecture, which attracts tourists from across the country, has seen many milestones in history. A damaged dome was removed from the building and placed nearby. 

Details

  • Timings: Open from 6 am to 6 pm daily.
  • Address: Mehrauli, New Delhi.
  • Entry Fee: Rs 10 for Indians, Rs 250 for Foreigners, Free for Children under 15
  • Video Filming Fee: Rs 25 

Travel Tips  

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  • The Visitor‘s access to the top of the building is restricted for security reasons. 
  •  The Qutub Complex is made up of many structures to visit and requires a lot of walking. 
  •  To reduce the heat, wear a hat and bring water bottles. 

 Things To Do

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  • Read and See the carvings on the walls, taken from the verses of the Holy Quran
  • Visit the Quwwat Ul Mosque, located within the complex and built at a similar time as the minaret.
  • The very popular Iron Pillar, which was built before the Muslim rulers took control of the region, is a must-see due to its amazing property of not rusting and remaining stable for a  long time. 
  • Qutub Minar serves as a great backdrop and includes a lush green garden, you can take amazing photos here. 
  • The dome-shaped structure, which was on the sixth floor, was dismantled and can now be seen by visitors in the vicinity of the minar. 
  •  Buy some souvenirs from local markets and street vendors. 
  •  The many restaurants in the area invite you to taste different dishes. 

Guide Availability 

There are many guides available to help you explore various buildings in the area. You have to pay a certain amount and you can explain the story in different languages, including English and Hindi. 

Best Time To Travel 

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Since Delhi witnesses very hot summers, it would be much better if you visit during the winter months, from October to March. The best time to take a walk around the site is at night, as it will reduce the effects of the heat and make the visit a phenomenal experience

Interesting Facts About Qutub Minar 

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  • Structures within the Qutub complex display architectural styles that have incorporated Muslim, Hindu, and Saracen patterns into their design. 
  • The Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan is said to have been an inspiration for the design of the Qutub Minar. 
  • When looking at the entire tower, you can see a very slight inclination of about 65 centimeters. 
  • Its height is 72.5 meters. There are 379 stairs inside the tower that lead upwards. Its diameter is 14.32 m at the bottom and 2.75 m at the top.
  • The Qutub Minar is adjacent to several historical monuments and together they are called the “Qutub Complex”. The complex includes Delhi Iron Pillar, Quwwatul Islam Mosque, Alai Darwaza, Iltutmish’s Tomb, Alai Minar, Alauddin’s Madrasa, and Tomb,  Imam Zamin’s Tomb, Major Smith’s Dome, and Sanderson’s Sundial. 
  • The upper deck of the tomb was destroyed by lightning and rebuilt by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. These floors are very different from the rest of the Minar since they are made of white marble. 
  • Before 1974, the public was allowed to climb to the top of the tomb. On December 4, 1981, a stampede took place wherein 45 people were killed. This resulted in protest, thus, public access to the interior of the tower was prohibited. 
  • The iron pillar in the Qutub Minar complex has stood tall for over 2000 years without rusting! That is wonderful. 

How To Reach?

This famous tourist spot in Mehrauli, South Delhi, is easily accessible by taxi or auto-rickshaw. The metro can be taken from the yellow line, which can be reached on foot from the place. There are many buses available along the route from this location, along with tour buses. Cars can pass through Sri Aurobindo Marg to reach Lado Sarai, where this structure is located.

Thus, this is a perfect place for history buffs and explorers who love to know about kingdoms. It seamlessly blends a lot of history and beauty in one place, expanding our view of heritage and culture as we marvel at the marvelous construction of this tomb.

If you love going to national parks and explore flora and fauna, then do check out our blog on Kanha National Park.

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