The Qutub Minar also spelled as ‘Qutb Minar‘ and ‘Qutab Minar‘ is one of the most popular tourist sites in Delhi. This majestic cylindrical shaped Tower seen with long rounded grooves embedded with decorative motifs on the shaft of its columns made of red sandstone tapers from a base of 14.3 metres in diameter to its tip measuring 2.75 metres in diameter and made with 378 steps that lead to the top of the tower. This stunning and formidable 72.5 metres tall Monument still stands elegantly within the Qutb Complex in South Delhi. It was constructed during the rule of the first Muslim Turkic Sultan named Qutb-ud-din Aibak (also spelled as Qutub-ud-din Aibak, Qutb-ud-din Aybak and Qutub-ud-din Aybak). The name of this Tower may have been derived from the Sultan’s name itself as he built it but some argue that it was probably erected in memory of Sufi Saint Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiar Kaki who had greatly inspired Sultan Iltutmish (Ruler after Sultan Aibak).
Architecture and History of Qutub Minar
The architecture of the Qutub Minar which means ‘Qutub Tower’ or ‘Qutb Tower’ mimics the Jam Minar and other Minarets established by the Ghurids as seen in Afghanistan. The construction started in 1193 AD by the Sultan Aibak who demolished the remains of the 27 Jain Temples that existed since the Pandava era up till the Tomar ruler who built ‘Lal Kot’ city followed by the Chauhan period who were the last Hindu Rulers of Delhi. In fact, the area where the ruins of Lal Kot existed was used by Sultan Aibak to construct the Tower and its surrounding structures. The fragmented pieces of these Temples along with red sandstones were then used to build the Qutb Minar and the Tower began to take its shape. Sultan Aibak lived only to see the completion of its base and the first floor.
Later, his successor, Sultan Iltutmish aka Altamash, the third Turkic Sultan, erected three more storeys over the first floor of this Minar. The fifth and last floor of the Tower was finished by Firoz Shah Tughlaq in 1386 AD, who also furnished the fourth and fifth floors with complete white marble as the fourth floor got destroyed in an earthquake during his rule. He also wanted to add a significant feature like the pavilions and a grand finishing touch to this tower and thus this marvellous structure came into existence.