Qutub Minar: Delhi’s Tallest Icon
In the heart of Mehrauli, South Delhi, stands a sandstone sentinel that has witnessed empires rise and fall, languages change, and faiths intersect — the Qutub Minar. More than just a monument, it’s a towering chronicle of Delhi’s layered past. With its rich carvings, architectural brilliance, and mysterious remnants scattered around, Qutub Minar is not just a popular tourist destination — it’s a living museum of medieval India.
Let’s step into its stone corridors and discover the story beyond the red sandstone.
A Tower With Many Builders
Standing at a height of 73 meters, the Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Its construction began in 1192 CE by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate. However, he only lived long enough to see its foundation. His successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish, added three more storeys to the minar in 1220. Later, Firoz Shah Tughlaq repaired and completed the fifth and final storey after it was damaged by lightning.
Despite having multiple hands in its construction, the Minar maintains architectural harmony — a testament to the skills of the craftsmen of that era.
What Makes Qutub Minar So Unique?
Material & Design: The minar is made from red sandstone and marble, with intricate carvings of Quranic verses and geometric patterns. Unlike Mughal architecture, which uses domes extensively, the minaret uses fluting and alternating angular and circular shapes.
Religious Syncretism: Although the Qutub Minar is associated with Islamic architecture, it stands on the ruins of Hindu and Jain temples. Many of these temple pillars — still present in the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque nearby — have been reused, showcasing an overlap of religious histories.
Earthquake Survivor: The Minar has withstood multiple earthquakes, lightning strikes, and centuries of erosion — making it one of Delhi’s most enduring symbols.
Uncovering the Hidden Gems Around Qutub Minar
While the towering minaret is the main attraction, the Qutub Complex has several lesser-known but equally fascinating monuments and ruins that are worth exploring:
1. Iron Pillar of Delhi
This 7-meter tall iron column, dating back to the 4th century CE, stands proudly near the base of Qutub Minar. What makes it astonishing is that despite being over 1600 years old, it hasn’t rusted! Scientists believe this is due to its high phosphorus content, and many still marvel at its metallurgical mystery.
Legend once said that if you could wrap your arms around the pillar with your back turned to it, your wish would come true — a practice now prohibited to preserve the structure.
2. Alai Minar – The Incomplete Ambition
Walk a little further, and you’ll find a massive stone stump rising 24.5 meters high — this is the base of the Alai Minar, an ambitious but incomplete dream of Sultan Alauddin Khilji. He wanted to build a tower twice as tall as Qutub Minar, but construction was abandoned after his death. Today, it serves as a reminder that even rulers have unfinished dreams.
3. Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
Right beside the Qutub Minar is India’s first mosque, built from the ruins of 27 Hindu and Jain temples. The ornate pillars still carry carvings of bells, flowers, and human figures, subtly whispering the stories of a pre-Islamic Delhi. It’s a place where art, faith, and politics collide — quite literally.
4. Tomb of Iltutmish
Often skipped by tourists, this elegant tomb was built in 1235 CE and is one of the earliest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. Inside, you’ll find intricately decorated stone work, verses from the Quran, and a peaceful aura that contrasts with the buzz outside.
5. Mehrauli Archaeological Park
Just a short walk from the Qutub complex lies Mehrauli Archaeological Park, a vast, green space scattered with ruins, tombs, stepwells, and colonial relics. Don’t miss Jamali Kamali Mosque, with its haunting legends and spiritual energy, or the serene Rajon Ki Baoli, a 16th-century stepwell hidden among the trees.
This park offers the perfect escape from crowds and a deeper dive into Delhi’s historic layers.
Did You Know? Fun & Lesser-Known Facts
The Qutub Minar leans slightly — yes, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa — but remains structurally sound.
It has a spiral staircase of 379 steps, but entry to the top has been closed since a tragic stampede in 1981.
The minar was used as a watchtower during the Delhi Sultanate and was visible from miles around in its time.
The name “Qutub” is debated — some say it honors Qutb-ud-din Aibak, while others argue it’s named after Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, whose dargah is also in Mehrauli.
Capturing Qutub: A Photographer’s Paradise
At different times of day, Qutub Minar transforms dramatically. Visit during:
Golden Hour (just before sunset): when the sandstone glows like fire.
Early Morning: for peaceful views and fewer tourists.
Nighttime (during light shows): for a magical perspective.
If you’re into Instagram, it’s hard to take a bad photo here. Frame the minar through archways, capture the contrast of ancient stone against modern Delhi’s skyline, or focus on carvings that have survived centuries of wind and time.
Why Qutub Minar Still Matters
Qutub Minar is more than a UNESCO World Heritage Site — it’s a symbol of continuity and change, of ambition and adaptation. In a city as chaotic and fast-moving as Delhi, this 800-year-old monument stands still, quietly reminding us of the people who walked here before us.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Delhiite on a nostalgic walk, Qutub Minar isn’t just something to be checked off a list — it’s a site to be experienced slowly, thoughtfully, and curiously.
Final Thoughts: A Towering Tale
Qutub Minar is like a vertical timeline, etched in stone and silence. It connects ancient metallurgy to modern curiosity, Hindu temples to Islamic dynasties, and lost empires to today’s buzzing streets. Beyond its height and fame, it’s Delhi’s oldest storyteller — still standing tall, still whispering stories into the ears of those who stop to listen.
Next time you’re in Mehrauli, don’t just take a selfie. Stay a while. Watch the birds circle the tower. Touch the carved walls. Imagine the call to prayer echoing through history.
Because some places don’t just show you the past — they make you feel it.
Visitor Info
Timings: 7 AM – 5 PM (daily)
Entry Fee: ₹40 (Indian citizens), ₹600 (foreign tourists), free for children under 15
Nearest Metro: Qutub Minar (Yellow Line)
Best Time to Visit: October to March (for pleasant weather)