Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in India built in crimped red sandstone, is a true example of the Indo-Islamic architecture.



Intricate carvings augment the beauty of the tower. Qutub-Din-Abek, the first Muslim Emperor of Delhi and the founder of the Slave Dynasty, conceived of this brilliant structure. However, during his reign, only the basement of the grand tower was completed. Later on, his descendant Illtutmish took charge of the construction of the minaret and added three more storeys to the tower. In the year 1368, Firuz Shah Tughluq completed the tower by adding the fifth and the last storey to it.

The differences in the styles of architecture of these three rulers are very much evident in this magnificent tower. Firoz Shah Tughlaq and later Sikandar Lodi also undertook repair works of the tower, after it was damaged by lightning. The height of the minaret made of fluted red sandstone is 72.5 meters and there are 399 steps of stairs that lead to the top of the tower.

This magnificent marvel of the Sultanate era, which was built as a tower of victory, now forms an integral part of the sights and sounds of Delhi. Thinking of Delhi, the first name that comes to the mind is of Qutub Minar. Qutub Complex includes the Tomb of Illtutmish, Alai Minar, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, and the famous Iron Pillar. The complex is built on the ruins of Lal Kot --the erstwhile capital of the Tomars and the Chauhans.