Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
By Rachel Heller
What is Qutb Minar and its Monuments?
Qutb Minar (sometimes written as Qutab Minar) and its Monuments is a collection of structures dating to the 12th century, when Islamic rulers first took power in India. The monuments include mosques, a tower (minaret), and tombs added over the next several centuries. The decorative detail and ambitious size of the elements was an expression of the early Islamic rulers’ aspirations to establish themselves in terms of both power and religion.
The tower, Qutb Minar (minaret) is 72.5 meters tall (238 feet) and 14 meters (46 feet) in diameter at its base, tapering to about 3 meters (9 feet) at the top. It is the highest stone structure in India, created by Qutbud-Din Aibak of the Mamluk dynasty, but during his short reign only the first story was completed. The sultan after him, Shamsu’d din Iltutmish, completed the second, third and fourth stories. Later, in the 14th and 15th centuries, additional stories and other modifications were added.
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Not to be outdone, the emperor Alluadin Khiliji, who ruled from 1296 to 1316, set out to build another minaret, called Alai Minar, with the plan of making it twice the size of the Qutb Minar. It was never completed, but a massive base 25 meters (82 feet) tall still stands on the site.
The mosque next door, called Quwwatu-Islam Masjid, is the oldest mosque in northern India. Also begun by Qutbud-Din Aibak, it was completed in 1197. For the building materials, 27 Hindu and Jain temples were destroyed and the blocks reused. Subsequent sultans later enlarged it.
The tomb of Iltutmish (13th century) is also on the site. It is considered significant as the start of the tradition of building royal tombs in India. There are also a number of other tombs nearby.
Why is Qutb Minar and its Monuments a UNESCO World Heritage site?
According to UNESCO, the monuments in this collection “represent an outstanding example of the architectural and artistic achievements of early Islamic India.”
What can you expect on a visit to Qutb Minar and its Monuments?
Despite the fact that much of the site is in ruins, the workmanship still covering many of the structures’ surfaces is strikingly beautiful. Here are the four most important of the monuments:
Qutb Minar
The biggest attention-grabber, of course, is the Qutb Minar itself. In our case, it revealed itself slowly on a very foggy morning. As we arrived we could barely see the top, but by midday it was more or less clear, apart from the haze of Delhi’s polluted air.
As we neared it, it revealed itself as an incredibly ornate design. At the first level, the fluting around its surface alternates square and round flutes. Above that, the fluting is all rounded, while on the third level it is all square. Yet they line up perfectly as the tower narrows. The balconies between levels have beautiful detailed stonework.
While there is a stairway inside the tower, originally used by the muezzin to sing the call to prayer, it is not open to the public.
Quwwatu-Islam Masjid
This ruined mosque next to the Qutb Minar still has some stunning elements. For example, the cloister that circles it has the most unusual pillars I’ve ever seen. Apparently their parts came from the destroyed Hindu and Jain temples.
The giant arches or screens at the west side of the mosque (the side facing Mecca) still stand, even though the roof does not. These arches are carved with elegant inscriptions and various Islamic motifs in geometric designs.
The only remaining gateway to the mosque, called Alar Darwaza, dates to 1311, so it was added later to the original mosque. It is a square, domed structure with, on the outside, some gorgeous carvings – again, geometric motifs and inscriptions – in white marble and red sandstone. According to an informational sign at the gateway, it also shows some features from the earlier Saljuq period in the 11th-12th century. The reason this shows up in this later gate is that the artisans fled the Mongols in central Asia and settled in India, bringing their artistic traditions with them.
The tomb of Iltutmish
According to the informational sign on the site, the tomb of Iltutmish is “a landmark in Indo-Islamic architecture.” The tomb itself is in the center of a square room. It originally carried a domed roof but is now open to the sky. The carvings on the inside of this room are particularly ornate and, again according to the informational sign, they bear “inscription in Kufi and Naskh characters and geometric and arabesque patterns in Saracenic tradition.”
Alai Minar
It’s worth taking a look at the Alai Minar as well. It was never finished, so it’s nothing more than a cylindrical structure made of large irregular stones. Yet, especially after seeing the Qutb Minar and its size, you can imagine, as you walk around its base, how big this thing would have been.
There are other smaller structures too: tombs and such, some signposted, some not.
Is Qutb Minar worth visiting?
Certainly, if you’re in Delhi, it’s worth visiting for the beauty of the early Islamic workmanship and to admire that enormous tower. I wouldn’t make a trip to Delhi just to see this, but there are two other UNESCO sites in the city, the Red Fort Complex and Humayun’s Tomb, which, combined with the various other sights to see, make at least a short visit to Delhi worthwhile.
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What sorts of travelers would like Qutb Minar?
Anyone interested in early Islamic history and architecture in India would find this place interesting. It’s not particularly kid-friendly, but it is a pleasant place for a stroll, with its lush trees and very busy bird life.
Tips for visiting Qutb Minar and its Monuments
Pay your entrance fee at the booth across the road from the entrance, and you’ll receive a small plastic token. At the entrance, swipe the token over the reader and the turnstiles will admit you. Don’t lose the token! You’ll need to deposit it in a slot to exit the site as well. Otherwise you’ll be charged extra for it.
In theory it would be best to visit early in the day or later in the afternoon. Check the weather first, though. We ended up doing some leisurely strolling around the site just waiting for the sun to burn the fog off.
Keep an eye out for the pretty long-tailed Rose-ringed Parakeets that seem to live among the ruins.
Consider this private tour of Qutb Minar with transfer, or this one that also includes Humayun’s Tomb.
Where is Qutb Minar?
Qutb Minar is in New Delhi, India. Be aware that it’s a distance away from the city center. There is a stop on the Delhi metro system not far away, and taking this comfortable new metro is far more pleasant than breathing fumes in a tuk-tuk for half an hour, which is what we did. Take the yellow line to the Saket station and from there, either take a 5-minute tuk-tuk ride or walk for about a half hour.
For more information about Qutb Minar and its Monuments, its opening hours and admission fees, see the Delhi Tourism website.
Have you been to Qutb Minar? If so, do you have any additional information or advice about this UNESCO World Heritage site? Please add your comments below!