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Qutb Minar Complex

Qutb Minar


Located in the Mehrauli area of Delhi, Qutb Minar stands within the Qutb complex which is a World Heritage Site. The complex brims with mosques, tombs, gateways and gardens. 

Qutub-ud-din Aibak, founder of the Slave dynasty and the first Sultan of Delhi had initiated the construction of Qutb Minar. This massive 72.5 metre tower is named after him. 

However, according to another school of thought, the monument gets its name from the famous Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, a disciple of Moinuddin Chisti who was the founder of the Chisti order in India.

Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, popularly known as Qutub Sahib, is credited with the popularization of the Chisti order of Sufism in Delhi. His tomb is in Mehrauli. 

The soaring Qutb Minar consists of five distinct storeys of which only the first level was built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak before his death of a sudden fall from a horse while playing polo (chaugan). The structure was completed by later Muslim rulers including Shamsuddin Iltutmish who ascended to the throne of Delhi Sultanate after a brief reign of Aram Shah after the death of Qutb-ud-din in 1210. Shamsuddin Iltutmish was the son-in-law of Qutb-ud-din Aibak. 

Made of red sandstone, the structure has a diameter of 14.32m at the base and about 2.75 m on the top. 

Within the enclosure of the Qutb complex you will find ruined monuments and tombs. Ala-ud-din’s sprawling madrasa (Islamic school) and tomb stand in ruins at the rear of the complex.

Quwwat-ul-Islam ("Might of Islam"), one of the oldest mosques in India, is located to the north-east of the Qutab Minar. Built in 1198 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the pillars of the mosque are embellished with Hindu motifs.  

In the courtyard of the mosque, you can find an Iron Pillar dating back to the 4th century AD. The Iron Pillar is a testament to the supreme level of metallurgical skill that was acquired by ancient Indians. 

Mausoleum of Iltutmish 
Built in AD 1235 the sandstone and marble mausoleum of Iltutmish in the Qutab complex is profusely carved with Islamic calligraphy.

Ala'i-Darwaza and Ala'i Minar are other famous attractions located within the complex. Profusely embellished with Quranic inscriptions and floral motifs, Ala'i-Darwaza was built by Alau’d-Din Khalji in 1311.  

On December 8, 1946, princess Eugene Grosup of Kapurthala, also known as Tara Devi, fell to her death from the top of the Qutb Minar.  

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