QUTAB MINAR
INTRODUCTION
 Located
in Mehrauli, in southern Delhi, just 16 kilometers from the
central circle of Connaught Place (Rajeev Chowk) stands the
world famous, red sandstone and marble, tower of victory,
the Qutab Minar. Qutab Minar is the highest stone tower in
India. The tower is built by king Qutubuddin Aibak one of
the famous sultan of slave dynasty.
HISTORY OF QUTAB MINAR
Among Delhites there are lots of other theories about
the origin of the tower. Some say it was the observatory
of the great scientist Aryabhatta of ancient India, other
claim that it was built by Prithvi Chauhan for his daughter
to see the Yamuna. In fact everything short of an extraterrestrial
origin has been attributed to it. The presence of the ancient
non-rusting Iron Pillar within the complex further appears
to add credence to the first theory. However the tower,
its entire design and architecture are undisputedly Islamic
and all the other theories are just matters of wild surmise.
DESCRIPTION OF QUTAB MINAR
The fifth floor was completed by Feroz Shah Tughlaq. The
word Qutab Minar means ‘Axis Minaret’. The sculptures
and the characters that are portrait are all Islamic characters,
the Arabic inscriptions gives the details of the Islamic
teachings and you can have close look towards the religion.
The northern door opens to the stairways of 379 steps that
will take you to the upper floors. Due to the safety of
the visitors the staircase has been closed.
The tower had a crowning cupola on the top at one time,
however this was struck down sometime in the early 19th
century, an earthquake felled it. This was replced by a
well meaning English engineer Major Smith. However it must
have looked quite an eyesore for when Lord Hardinge was
Governor-general of British India, he had it removed. You
can see it now on the spruce lawns of the Qutub complex.
Come to think of it, it must have been eyesore – it's
called Smith’s folly.
HOW TO REACH QUTAB MINAR
Air- Delhi has an international Airport,
the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Taxi and Coach
Transfer, pre paid taxis, air conditioned and non A/C coaches
all can take you to the Qutab Minar from the Airport.
Rail- Delhi is also the hub of Indian
railways Network with trains running to and from all parts
of the country.
Road- Buses from all the major places
in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh and Rajasthan are available for getting to Delhi.
During the summer months, air-conditioned coaches are recommended.
Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) operates special services
from railway stations to different parts of the city.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
October to March
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