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Qutub Minar

     
Qutub Minar, an architectural marvel of the 13th century, is located in Delhi, the capital of India. One of the most famous landmarks of Delhi, viewing it is trully an experience to relish. Qutub Minar complex monuments are listed in the UNESCO world heritage sites of India. Here is concise information about Qutub Minar in Delhi.

Qutub Minar Information
Location Delhi
Importance Highest stone tower in India
Best Time to Visit October to March
Diameter at Base 14.32 m
Diameter at Peak 2.75 m

Qutub Complex and Architecture
     
Red sandstone is employed in the construction of Qutub Minar. Alternating angular and rounded flutings are the feature of Qutab Minar. Impressive calligraphy bedecks the adjacent edifices. All the five stories are marked by a projecting balcony. Verses from the Koran, holy book of Muslims, are deeply inscribed on Kutub Minar.

Several other historically important building lie in the surrounding archaeological complex. These include Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, the oldest in northern India and Alai-Darwaza Gate, considered the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art. Whole Qutub Minar complex is fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture.

Iron Pillar
Iron Pillar in the Qutab Minar Complex harks back to the 5th century. It has faced the wear and tear of time successfully.

History
Qutb-u'd-Din Aibak, the first sultan of Delhi, laid the foundation stones of Kutub Minar in AD 1199. Some historian opine that that the objective behind its construction was to give a platform to Mu'azzin to give calls for prayer. He was the one who raised the first storey. Then he died. The credit of completing the construction goes his successor and son-in-law, Shamsu'd-Din Iitutmish, who also added three more stories to it.





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