Qutub Minar 🇮🇳

Located in Mehrauli, South Delhi, the Qutub Minar—also spelled Qutb Minar or Qutab Minar—is a historic victory tower and minaret. Standing at a height of 72.5 meters, it is recognized as the tallest brick minaret in the world. The tower is a central monument within the Qutb complex, an expansive historic site designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Tapering from a base diameter of 14.3 meters down to 2.7 meters at its peak, the five-story structure features an internal spiral staircase and was erected over the remains of Lal Kot, the ancient citadel of Dhillika.

Construction of the tower began around 1199 under Qutab-ud-din Aibak to mark the beginning of Islamic rule in the region following his victory over Delhi's last Hindu ruler, Prithviraj Chauhan. Aibak completed only the initial basement level. His successor, Shamsuddin Iltutmish, constructed three subsequent stories. Over the centuries, the minaret underwent various repairs and alterations by later rulers, including Firuz Shah Tughlaq, who restored the upper section with white marble and created a fifth story after a 1369 lightning strike. Subsequent restorations followed earthquake damage, including 19th-century efforts by British officer Major Robert Smith.

The Qutub Minar is widely regarded as a key early synthesis of Hindu and Islamic architectural traditions. Built primarily from red and grey sandstone, the lower levels display alternating semicircular and flanged pilasters supported by balcony sections with corbels. Because local Hindu artisans built the structure under the supervision of Muslim architects, traditional native techniques and temple-influenced design elements were combined with Islamic styles. The exterior features horizontal bands carved with Arabic calligraphy and Quranic inscriptions, alongside Nagari and Persian-Arabic texts documenting its ongoing maintenance.

Surrounding the minaret within the broader complex are several notable monuments. Immediately to the northeast sits the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, established in 1199 using carved columns and materials from 27 demolished Jain and Hindu temples. In the mosque courtyard stands a fourth-century Iron Pillar containing a Sanskrit inscription in Brahmi script dedicated to King Chandra. To the east of the tower lies "Smith's Folly," a pillared cupola originally added to the top of the tower during 19th-century renovations before being removed and reinstalled at ground level.

As one of Delhi's most frequented heritage landmarks, the Qutub Minar served as an architectural prototype for later minarets in the region, such as the Chand Minar. Although the internal staircase was historically accessible, public entry inside the tower was halted following a fatal power failure and stampede in 1981. Today, visitors explore the exterior grounds and adjacent architectural ruins. On select occasions, the monument is illuminated in national flag colors to celebrate international diplomatic relations.