Qutub Minar: Famous tourist attraction in Delhi.

Qutub Minar is a minaret and a victory tower that forms part of the Qutb complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mehrauli area of South Delhi, India. It was built mostly between 1199 and 1220 by the Islamic rulers of the Delhi Sultanate who conquered northern India. It is one of the most visited tourist spots in the city. Visit during Delhi Local sightseeing by cab

Qutub Minar is made of red and buff sandstone and has a height of 72.5 metres. It has five stories with projecting balconies and fluted shafts that alternate between angular and rounded shapes. The minaret is decorated with inscriptions and geometric patterns in Arabic calligraphy. It was used for calling Muslims to prayer and as a symbol of the might of Islam.

The Qutb complex also contains other monuments and buildings from the Delhi Sultanate period, such as the Quwwatu’l-Islam mosque, the oldest mosque in northern India, which was built using materials from Hindu and Jain temples; the Alai-Darwaza gate, a masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art that was added by Allaudin Khilji in 1311; the tomb of Iltutmish, the second ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, which marks the beginning of the tradition of royal tombs in India; and an iron pillar, which dates back to the 4th century CE and has a Sanskrit inscription on it.

Qutub Minar is a remarkable example of the architectural and artistic achievements of the Islamic rulers in India. It reflects their aspiration to transform India from Dar-al-Harb (land of war) to Dar-al-Islam (land of peace) with the introduction of distinctive building types and forms.

Location of Qutub Minar

The article is about Qutub Minar Delhi, which is located in the Mehrauli area of South Delhi, India. The user location data shows that it is located in New Delhi city and Delhi state and India country. The coordinates are 28°31′28″N 77°11′07″E.

Timing / Entry Fees Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar Delhi is open to visitors from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm every day. The entry fee for Indian citizens is Rs. 30 per person, while for foreign nationals it is Rs. 500 per person. There is no entry fee for children below the age of 15. There is also a separate fee for camera and video recording.

How to Reach Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar Delhi is easily accessible from all parts of New Delhi by road and public transport. You can take a bus, auto-rickshaw, taxi or car to reach Qutub Minar. The bus fare is around Rs. 10 per person, while the auto-rickshaw fare is around Rs. 50-100 depending on the distance and bargaining. The taxi or car fare may vary depending on the service provider and traffic conditions.

The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is about 16 km away from Qutub Minar. You can take a taxi or a metro train from the airport to reach Qutub Minar. The taxi fare may range from Rs. 300 to Rs. 600 depending on the time and traffic. The metro fare may range from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100 depending on the distance and route.

The nearest railway station is New Delhi Railway Station, which is about 15 km away from Qutub Minar. You can take a taxi, an auto-rickshaw or a metro train from the railway station to reach Qutub Minar. The taxi fare may range from Rs. 150 to Rs. 300 depending on the time and traffic. The auto-rickshaw fare may range from Rs. 100 to Rs. 200 depending on the distance and bargaining. The metro fare may range from Rs. 20 to Rs. 60 depending on the distance and route.

The nearest metro station is Qutub Minar Metro Station, which is about 3 km away from Qutub Minar. You can walk or take an auto-rickshaw from the metro station to reach Qutub Minar. The auto-rickshaw fare may range from Rs. 20 to Rs. 40 depending on the distance and bargaining.

Things to Do / Must See Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar Delhi is a magnificent monument that showcases the architectural and artistic achievements of Islamic rulers in India. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that represents the cultural and artistic heritage of India.

Here are some of the things you can do and see at Qutub Minar:

• Admire the impressive facade of Qutub Minar, which has a height of 72.5 metres (238 feet) and a diameter of 14.32 metres (47 feet) at the base and 2.75 metres (9 feet) at the top. The tower has five storeys with inscriptions and flutings that vary in style and design.
• Explore the interior of Qutub Minar, which has a spiral staircase of 379 steps that leads to the top balcony of the tower. The staircase offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area and the monuments in the complex.
• Visit the Quwwatu’l-Islam mosque, which is located at the foot of Qutub Minar and is considered to be the first mosque in northern India. The mosque was built by reusing materials from Hindu and Jain temples that were demolished by the Islamic invaders.
• Visit the Alai Darwaza gate, which is located near the Quwwatu’l-Islam mosque and is considered to be a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic art and architecture. The gate was built by Allaudin Khilji in 1311 and has intricate carvings and geometrical patterns on its red sandstone surface.
• Visit the iron pillar, which is located in the courtyard of Quwwatu’l-Islam mosque and is considered to be a marvel of ancient metallurgy. The pillar dates back to the 4th century CE and bears a Sanskrit inscription that praises a king named Chandra.
• Visit the tomb of Iltutmish, which is located in the north-western part of Quwwatu’l-Islam mosque and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. The tomb was built by Iltutmish himself in 1235 and has floral motifs and arabesques on its walls and ceilings.
• Visit the Alai Minar, which is located near the Alai Darwaza gate and is considered to be an unfinished attempt to build a tower taller than Qutub Minar. The tower was started by Allaudin Khilji in 1311 but was abandoned after his death in 1316. The tower has only one storey that stands at 24.5 metres (80 feet) high.
• Visit the tomb of Imam Zamin, which is located near the Alai Darwaza gate and is considered to be a fine example of Lodi style of architecture. The tomb was built by Imam Zamin, a Persian saint who came to India during the reign of Sikandar Lodi in the 16th century. The tomb has a dome and an octagonal chamber with arched openings.
• Visit the Smith’s Folly, which is located near the iron pillar and is considered to be a curious remnant of British intervention in the Qutub complex. The structure was built by Major Robert Smith in 1828 as a cupola for Qutub Minar but was removed in 1848 due to public outcry. The structure has a dome and a lantern with fluted columns and arches.
• Enjoy the light and sound show that takes place every evening at Qutub Minar. The show narrates the history and significance of Qutub Minar and its monuments through lights, sounds and visuals.
• Relax at the gardens surrounding Qutub Minar, which are ideal for picnics, boating, cycling and other leisure activities.
• Snack on street food such as ice cream, chaat, popcorn etc., which are available at various stalls near Qutub Minar.

Significance of Qutub Minar

The Minar Delhi is a significant monument for India for various reasons. It is a masterpiece of sandstone minaret that showcases the architectural and artistic achievements of Islamic rulers in India. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that represents the cultural and artistic heritage of India.

Qutub Minar is also a symbol of the Islamic conquest and expansion in India. It is a place where the first mosque in northern India, the Quwwatu’l-Islam, was built by reusing materials from Hindu and Jain temples. It is also a place where the Qutb Minar was erected as a victory tower and a call to prayer. It is also a place where the iron pillar, which dates back to the 4th century CE and bears a Sanskrit inscription, stands as a testimony to the metallurgical skills of ancient India.

The Minar is also a place of historical and religious significance for India. It is a place where many important events and movements took place that shaped India’s history and destiny. It is also a place where many saints and sufis visited and preached their teachings. It is also a place where many festivals and fairs are celebrated by people of different faiths and communities.

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Conclusion

Qutub Minar Delhi is a magnificent monument that reflects the glory and honour of Islamic rulers in India. It is also a monument that represents India’s cultural and artistic heritage. It is also a monument that celebrates India’s diversity and unity as a nation. Qutub Minar Delhi is a monument that every Indian should visit at least once in their lifetime.