Qutab Minar The Qutb Minar, a tower in Delhi, India, is at 72.5 meters the world's tallest brick minaret. Construction commenced in 1193 under the orders of India's first Muslim ruler Qutb-ud-din Aibak, and the topmost storey of the minaret was completed in 1386 by Firuz Shah Tughluq. The Qutb Minar is notable for being one of the earliest and most prominent examples of Indo-Islamic architecture.

The tallest monument in India The tallest monument in India? Most people have a common question related to Qutub Minar – that is, why was it built so tall? It is taller than the Great Pagoda in Pekin, China and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy. Well, the exact reason still remains a mystery, but it is believed that it is related to commemorating a victory. Mughal rulers used to build victory towers to declare and celebrate their victories. Many people also say that it served as a minaret to the mosque situated in the complex. It was from here that the muezzins called the faithful to prayer

It is surrounded by several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively known as Qutb complex. The complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Delhi, and was also India's most visited monument in 2006, as it attracted 3.9 million visitors, even more than the Taj Mahal, which drew about 2.5 million visitors At 72.5 m (234 ft), the Qutub Minar is the world's tallest free standing minaret.

Structure The Qutab Minar is tall, with 379 steps leading to the top. The diameter of the base is 14.3 meters, while the top floor measures 2.75 meters in diameter. Surrounding the building are many fine examples of Indian artwork from the time it was built in 1193. It is made of red sandstone all the way except for two stories at the top. This part is of white marble and was made by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. He had decided to put a prominent finish to the magnificent minar.

History Inspired by the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan and wishing to surpass it, Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced could only complete its base. His successor, Iltutmish, added three more stories and, in 1386, Firuz Shah Tughluq constructed the fifth and the last story. The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tughluq is quite evident in the minaret. Like earlier towers erected by the Ghaznavids and Ghurids in Afghanistan, the Qutb Minar comprises several superposed flanged and cylindrical shafts, separated by balconies carried on Muqarnas corbels.

The minaret is made of fluted red sandstone covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Qur'an. The Qutb Minar is itself built on the ruins of the Lal Kot, the Red Citadel in the city of Dhillika, the capital of the Tomars and the Chauhans, the last Hindu rulers of Delhi. The complex initially housed 27 ancient Hindu and Jain temples, which were destroyed and their debris used to build the Qutb minar.

The purpose for building this monument has been variously speculated upon. It could take the usual role of a minaret, calling people for prayer in the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, the earliest extant mosque built by the Delhi Sultans. Other possibilities are a tower of victory, a monument signifying the might of Islam, or a watch tower for defense. Controversy also surrounds the origins for the name of the tower. Many historians believe that the Qutb Minar was named after the first Turkish sultan, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, but others contend that it was named in honour of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, a saint from Transoxiana who came to live in India and was greatly venerated by Iltutmish.

The nearby Iron Pillar is one of the world's foremost metallurgical curiosities, standing in the famous Qutb complex.

The construction was started by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in 1199 and was completed by his successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. Qutub Minar was named in the honor of Sufi saint, Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. It is built in red and buff sandstone It is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Holy Quran The Qutub Minar is 72.5 meters high and there are 379 steps. The diameter of the base is 14.3 meters while the top floor’s diameter measures 2.7 meters

The Qutub Minar complex boasts several other noteworthy buildings and structures. These include the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, which was the first mosque built in India. At the entrance of the mosque there is the famous Alai Darwaza built by Ala-ud-din Khalji. Another significant structure is the tomb of Iltutmish, situated to the west of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. Just close to the mosque, you will find another very interesting structure, the Iron Pillar. This 4th century Iron pillar is one of most interesting structures in India