TOURIST PLACES DELHI

                         
 Qutb Minar , also spelled Qutub or Qutab, is the 2nd tallest  minar(73 metres) in India after Minar-E-Fateh at chhapar chiri at Anandpur Sahib which stands 100 meters tall. Qutub Minar originally an early Islamic Monument, inscribed with Arabic inscriptions, and is a  UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE.Located in DELHI, the Qutb Minar is made of red sandstone and marble. The stairs of the tower has 379 steps, is 72.5 metres (237.8 ft) high, and has a base diameter of 14.3 metres, which narrows to 2.7 metres at the top. Construction was started in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and was carried on by his successor, IItutmishIn 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey. It is surrounded by several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively known as the Qutb complex.

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History

The Qutb Minar was commissioned by Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi, and was completed by his successor - Iltutmish. It is not known whether the tower was named after Qutbuddin Aibak or Qutbuddin Bhaktiyar Kaki, a famous Sufi saint who was living in Delhi con temporarily. As the name suggests the tower was to serve the purpose of a minaret from where the adhan could be issued. The culture of tower architecture was well established in India before the arrival of the Turks as can be understood from the Kirti stambh at Chittor, Rajasthan. However, there is no evidence on record to confirm that the Qutb Minar was inspired or influenced by earlier Rajput towers.The minar is itself built on the ruins of the LAL KOT the Red Citadel in the city of Dhillika, the capital of the Tomars and the Chauhans, the last HINDUrulers of DELHI.One engraving on the minar reads, "Shri Vishwakarma prasade rachita" (Conceived with the grace of VISHWAKARMA).

Numerous inscriptions in Parso-Arabic and Nagari characters in different sections of the Qutb Minar reveal the history of its construction. According to the inscriptions on its surface it was repaired by Firoz Shah Tughlaq (AD 1351–88) and Sikandar Lodi (AD 1489–1517).

The Qubbat-ul-Islam Mosque, located at the northeast of Minar, was built by Qutb deen Aibak in AD 1198. It is the earliest mosque built by the Delhi Sultans. Later, a coffee arched screen was erected and the mosque was enlarged by IItutmish (AD 1210–35) and  ALAUDDIN KHILAJI

The minar has been damaged by earthquakes and lightning strikes on several occasions but has been repaired and renovated by various rulers. During the rule of Firoz Shah, the minar's two top floors were damaged due to lightning but were repaired by Firoz Shah. In 1505, an earthquake struck and it was repaired by Sikandar Lodi. Later in 1794, the minar suffered another earthquake and it was Major Smith, an engineer, who repaired the affected parts of the minar. He replaced Firoz Shah's  pavilion at the top of the tower with his own pavilion. This pavilion was removed in 1848 by Lord Hardinge and now stands between the Dak Bungalow and the Minar in the garden. The floors built by Firoz Shah can be distinguished easily as the pavilion was built of white marble and quite smooth compared to the others.

Before 1981, the general public could climb to the top up the seven-storey, narrow staircase. However, on 4 December 1981 an accident occurred when an electricity cut plunged the tower's staircase into darkness. Around 45 people were killed in the stampede that followed the electricity failure. Most of the victims were children because, before 1981, school children were allowed free access to historical monuments on Fridays, and many school groups were taking advantage of this. Subsequently, public access has been forbidden.

Architecture

The minar is made of red sandstone covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Qur'an.

The minar comprises several superposed flanged and  cylindrical shafts, separated by balconies carried on  Muqaranas corbels

The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the,Quwwat-ul-islam mossque the first mosque to be built in India.

The nearby 7 metres high Iron Pillar is a metallurgical curiosity, standing in the  QUTB COMPLEX. The pillar has Brahmic inscriptions on it that predate the Islamic minar.

The minar tilts just over 60 cm from the vertical, which is considered to be within safe limits, although experts have stated that monitoring is needed in case rainwater seepage further weakens the foundation.