Qutub Minar Delhi

Tag : Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site

Built In : Early 13th Century

Year of Inscription : 1993

Reasons for Inscription : Qutub Minar, the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art, is made of red sandstone. It is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site as per the criterion no (iv). According to this criterion, a building or architectural splendour which illustrates important stage(s) in human history can be included in the list. Qutub Minar, with its glorious past and related facts, occupies a significant place in the list of Indian monuments and conveys about a particular dynasty which was established by a mere slave.

Category : Religious structure, Islamic.

Qutub Minar, at a glance

Qutub Minar, the grand and artistic structure lies at a distance of few kilometres from the south of Delhi. The construction of Qutub Minar was started by Qutbu'd-Din Aibak, the founder of Slave Dynasty in India. It is mainly a complex of structures built in memory of different Slave dynasty rulers. Though the construction of the main red sandstone tower (Qutub Minar) was started by Qutbu'd-Din Aibak in the early 13th century, it was completed by his successors in later years. It is the finest example of creations of Mamluk Dynasty which is popularly known as Slave Dynasty.

It is a 73 m high tower with five distinct storeys built after the defeat of last Hindu Kingdom of ancient Delhi. The first three storeys of this wonderful tower are made with red sandstone whereas fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone.

It was built with the material obtained by destroying 42 Hindu Temples. Quwwatu'l-Islam mosque, the earliest mosque in northern India is located at the base of the tower. A 7.2 m long iron pillar of ancient Gupta Dynasty (4th century) is positioned in the mosque premise. The unique feature of this pillar is- its high corrosion resistant nature due to which there is no sign of rust in this pillar till date. In the north-west corner of the mosque, the Tomb of Iltutmish stands as an excellent work of art. Other inseparable parts of this complex are Alai Darwaza, Alai Minar etc.

How to Get There

For people living in Delhi, metro (DMRC) is the easiest way to reach Qutub Minar. Direct metro connectivity is available from Rajiv Chowk to Qutub Minar metro station.

Aeroplane

BY AIR

IGI is the nearest international airport. Tourists from different corners of the globe can reach here and can take cabs to reach Qutub Minar.

Train

BY RAIL

Both Nizamuddin and New Delhi railway stations are close to the Qutub Minar.

Car

BY ROAD

Nearest state of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are well connected with the capital. Regular buses ply from all these states for Delhi.

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