Qutb Minar

:"For information on other notable structures in the Qutb complex, see the main article."

Qutub Minar (Urdu: قطب منار) is the world's tallest brick minaret in Delhi, India. [http://books.google.com/books?id=i7ayFbhJ9GcC&pg=PA132&dq=qutub+minar+world's+tallest&sig=ACfU3U0C__21Dqvt61SBii7ceB5rfSIjgw] 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 Qutab Minar is notable for being one of the earliest and most prominent examples of Indo-Islamic architecture.

It is surrounded by several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively known as Qutub complex. The complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Delhi.

tructure

The Qutub Minar is 72 meters high (237.8 ft) with 379 steps leading to the top. The diameter of the base is 14.3 meters wide 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. A second tower was in construction and planned to be taller than the Qutub Minar itself. Its construction ended abruptly when it was about 12 meters tall.The name of this tower is given as Alau Minar and construction of the same ended due to the death of the Sultan ,Alauddin Khilji. Only the core made of random rubble masonry and mortar remain of this unfinished tower which was to have been twice the height of the Qutb Minar of Qutb ud din Aibak.

History

Inspired by the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan and wishing to surpass it, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced construction of the Qutub Minar in 1193, but could only complete its base. His successor, Iltutmish, added three more storeys and, in 1368, Firuz Shah Tughluq constructed the fifth and the last storey. The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tuglak are quite evident in the minaret. Like earlier towers erected by the Ghaznavids and Ghurids in Afghanistan, the Qutub 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 Qutub Minar is itself built on the ruins of 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 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 Qutub 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 Baghdad who came to live in India and was greatly venerated by Iltutmish.

According to the inscriptions on its surface it was repaired by Firuz Shah Tughlaq (AD 1351–88) and Sikandar Lodi (AD 1489–1517). Major R.Smith also repaired and restored the minaret in 1829.

The nearby Iron Pillar is one of the world's foremost metallurgical curiosities, standing in the famous Qutub Complex. According to the traditional belief, any one who can encircle the entire column with their arms, with their back towards the pillar, can have their wish granted. Because of the corrosive qualities of sweat, people are no longer allowed to perform this act.

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.islamicarchitecture.org/architecture/quwwatalislammosque.html Quwwat Al-Islam Mosque]
* [http://photography.robins.in/monuments/subalbum_1.html Qutub Minar at night]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=28.524355,77.185248&q=28.524355,77.185248&spn=0.002211,0.00537&t=h Qutb Minar from satellite, recognizable by its long shadow]
* [http://www.exploredelhi.com/qutub-minar/index.html Qutab Minar]
* [http://www.panoramio.com/user/116638/tags/Qutab Downloadable photos Qutab Minar]
* [http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/dlo.cfm/svadesh/019PHO000000971U00004000.htm 19th century photography by Eugene Clutterbuck Impey]
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