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The Qutab Minar complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and with almost 4 million visitors a year the top attraction of India. The Qutab Minar itself is an ancient architectural wonder. It is the tallest stone tower in India (height of 72.5m = 239ft). It has 5 distinct storeys, each marked by a balcony. The 1st 3 storeys are made of red sandstone, while the top 4th and 5th of marble and sandstone.

Qutb-u’d-Din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, laid the foundation of the Qutab Minar in AD 1199 to celebrate the defeat of the Rajput kings. It was later completed by his successors Iltutmish. Until a few years ago, visitors were allowed to go up the tower, but due to people committing suicide by jumping for the upper floors climbing the tower is no longer allowed.

North of the Qutab Minar lies an incomplete tower called Ala'i Minar, which construction was commenced by 'Alau'd-Din Khalji and was supposed to become higher that the Qutab Minar. But with it's hight of 24,5 meters it never got further than the first storey.

To the north east of the Minar, is the Quwwat-ul-Islam (Might of Islam) Masjid (Mosque). It was built by Qutbu'd-Din Aibak in AD 1198 and is the oldest Mosque in India. Only the ruins and the façade and some old tombs remain now. None of the columns are the same, because they are constructed from the ruins of Hindu and Jain temples that stood at the same place. The stone blocks are intricately carved with Hindu motifs including that of horses, cows and human figures, placed on top of one another to make columns. The use of animal and human images is not something you would expect in any mosque.

Another interesting sight is the black iron pillar in the centre of the complex. This pillar is 7.2 meters tall and is called the “pillar of law”. It bears a Sanskrit inscription in the Brahmi script of 4th century AD and mentions that it was in honour to the Hindu god Vishnu and to commemorate the King Chandragupta Vikramaditya II, who ruled from 375 to 413 AD. Another king brought it here later somewhere in the 11th century. The Muslim rulers left it untouched. The amazing thing about this iron pillar is that it has hardly rusted even after nearly more than 1600 years scientists say this is because of its phosphorous content.

Light-and-sound show are held most nights after sunset.

text originally written by: http://ok-lah.blogspot.com/2005/04/qutab-minar.html