Qutb Minar

Qutb Minar is a soaring 73m high tower, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom.

The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. It is the highest tower in India.

At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing '27 Hindu temples'.

The Alai Darwaza is the main gate from the south side of the Mosque. Built in 1311. The walls are inscribed with script. One of the first buildings in India to be built using an Islamic architectural style.

The Alai Minar is an unfinished tower. Construction was started by Alauddin Khilji. After Khilji had doubled the size of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, he decided to construct a tower which would be twice the height of the Qutb Minar. Construction stopped in 1316, when Khilji died.

 



Great place to photograph! :D