Qutb Complex, Mehrauli, Delhi, India

Qutb Complex is one of the most important tourist destinations in Delhi. As the name suggests, Qutb Complex encopasses world famous Qutb Minar and many other important historical monuments in this complex. It is located near Mehrauli in Delhi.

Qutb Minar

The Qutb Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world. The initial construction of the Minar was initiated by Qutbuddin Aibak - the first Sultan of Mamluk Dynasy (also know as Slave Dynasty) in 1192. Aibak could only finish the first storey of Minar. The next there floors were build by the his successor Shams ud-Din Iltutmish. In 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlaq replaced the fourth floor with two new floors when the minar was struck by lightning. The top two floors hence have a distinctive design using white marble and sandstone. In 1505, the Minar was again repaired by the then Sultan Sikandar Lodi after it was stuck by lightning. In 1823, the minar was again damaged after an earthquake and its cupola was thrown down. In 1823, the British repaired it, and added a Bengali style cupola. In 1848, it was later removed by the then British Governor General as it looked out of place. Today, this cupola sits in the outer lawns, and is popularly known as Smith’s Folly.

Smith's Folly (the old cupola removed by British and installed in the ground)

Close up view of the minar's first floor. Circular and square walls alternate, with inscriptions

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque also known as Qutb Mosque was the first mosque built in Delhi. It is believed that the mosque was built by the parts taken from previously destroyed twenty-seven Hindu and Jain temples that existed during the Tomar and Chauhan reigns of Delhi. Certain parts of the temple still remains.

Iron Pillar

The iron pillar is a 3rd of 4th century old victory pillar, which is most notable for the rust-resistant metallurgic composition. The pillar is originally thought to have been erected by the Guptas in 400s inferred based on the inscriptions in Sanskrit on it. The original location of the pillar is still not clear, but believed to be Udayagiri in Madhya Pradesh where Guptas ruled. How the pillar got relocated to Delhi is also not clear.

Tomb of Iltutmish

The tomb of the second sultan of Mamluk Dynasty Shams ud-Din Iltutmish is also part of Qutb Minar Complex.

Alai Minar

Alauddin Khalji, the second Khilji ruler, started building Alai Minar. He conceived this new tower to be twice as high as Qutb Minar. The construction of the new minar was abandoned after the death of Alauddin in 1316. The remnants of the first storey of Alai Minar stands there.

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