The Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar, Delhi

| The World's tallest brick Minaret

The Qutub Minar is the highest tower in India. It was built to represent victory by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1993 after defeating Delhi's last Hindu ruler i.e Prithvi Raj Chauhan. The Qutub Minar is bearing 73 meter height. It have 379 steps to reach the top. The tower have 5 clear-cut storeys (floors).

Photo: Qutub Minar credits: Google Culture and Arts

It is a circular monument and had 15 meter diameter at the base and 2.5 meter diameter at the top.

It has an talk that once the Minar had seven storeys with an height of 300 feet.

The first three storeys from the bottom are made of red sandstone. The fourth and fifth storeys are made of marble and sand stone. You may find Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque which stands next to the Qutub Minar.

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

According to the inscription written on eastern of Qutub Minar says that it was built with materials collected by demolishing 27 already existing Temple monuments.

The Another Story behind the Qutub Minor

There are many reasons to believe that the Qutub was once called Prithvi Stambh as it was the creation of King Prithvi Raj Chauhan. The inspiration to the creation of the Minar for the Chauhan Emperor was to respond the good wishes of this wife who wanted to have a daily sight of scared river Jammuna from it's height.

There are reasons to prove that it was not built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak::

The gateway of its first storey faces to the north as it was traditional method of constructing Hindu Buildings. But the door of other four storeys facing towards east which is purely Muslim style of construction.
The Muslim always get their Buildings based on high wide platforms which is different to the Hindu style of construction. But the Qutub Minar had narrow platform to move or walk to the top of the Minar.
On keen observing the carvings of the first storey indicate bells and other dignity of Hindu religion.

The titles of Sultans and the verses from Quran which are inscribed on it were done later period. However, Qutub-ud-din Aibak refashioned the Minar it into Muslim style in 1200 A.D.