Qutub Minar World’s Tallest Brick Minaret
In the heart of the city of monuments, Delhi lies the world’s tallest brick minaret-Qutub Minar. One of the greatest masterpieces of Mughals, Qutub Minar with its height of 72.5 and 379 steps is an evergreen tourist attraction of Delhi. Qutub Minar has become an icon of Delhi like Taj Mahal is the icon of India. No tour to Delhi is complete without a visit to the Qutub Complex. Hardly any tourist misses out Qutub Minar during his visit to Delhi.
The first question that rises in the mind when one sees the structure of Qutub MInar for his first time is “Why was this tall pillar built?” Though the exact purpose behind building the Minar is not known, it is assumed that Qutub Minar was built to commemorate the victory of Mughals. Some say that the minaret played the role of calling people for prayer in Quwwat-Ul-Islam mosque while some believe it to be a watch tower for defense.
The magnificent tower Qutub Minar is inspired by the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan. To outshine the Minaret of Jam, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, Qutb-ud-din Aibak started the construction of Qutub Minar in the year 1193 but was able to complete its base only. Iltutmish, the successor of Qutb-ud-din Aibak added three stories to the minaret and the fifth and last story of Qutub Minar was constructed by Firuz Shah Tughluq.
Qutub Minar is a great combination of Indo-Islamic architecture. Qutub Minar is 238ft tall with a diameter of 14.3meters at its base and 2.75 meters at the top. It has wonderful art carved into it all over. There’s a dark side of the Mughal masterpiece Qutub Minar too. Qutub Minar is built in a temple. The once Hindu Temple was converted into a mausoleum. This has led to an unforgettable scar in Hindu psyche for ever. Qutub complex was earlier a house to 27 Jain Temples which were destroyed by the Mughals. The debris of these temples was used in the construction of Qutub Minar.
The popularity of the Qutub Minar has led its surroundings to be known as Qutub Complex. Qutub Complex comprises Iron Pillar, Alai Minar, Quwwat-Ul-Islam Mosque, Iron Pillar and Tomb of Iltutmish.
