The 72.5-metre-tall red sandstone and marble Qutub Minar is the tallest structure in Delhi, and the tallest brick minaret in the world. It’s also an excellent example of Indo-Islamic architecture and one of the major sights in the Indian capital. When we visited, it seemed to be equally popular with foreign and local visitors.
Construction of the Qutub Minar began in the 1190s. Over the years, more stories were added. As a result, the tower tilts slightly to one side. (Thought the photo was crooked, did ya?)
Qutub Minar is more than just a conical tower. It’s part of an ancient complex with evidence from several periods of history. Inscriptions on the walls are gorgeous Arabic stone carvings of Qur’anic verse from the Mughal era. But there’s also some Brahmi.
Sadly, it’s not possible to go inside the monument and climb the 379 steps. 32 years ago, a power failure caused panic and 45 people were killed, many of them children on a school outing.
Just as well one can’t enter perhaps. According to this article in the Times of India, Qutub Minar began tilting soon after its construction. The tower now leans 25 inches and there’s concern it will lean even further due to rainwater leekage.
Qutub Minar Practicals
- Qutub Minar is open daily, sunrise to sunset
- Price: 250 Rupees for foreigners
- Getting there: Qutub Minar is in Mehrauli, in the southern part of New Delhi, and quite easy to reach by metro (Qutub Minar station). Walk or take an auto-rickshaw from the metro station to the monument.
Qutb Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
I remember this place. I visited in August 2001 so was struggling to remember the name of the place. It is quite eye opening seeing the amount of Islamic influence on the history of India. There is certainly a lot of stunning pieces of history like this around.
I remember a big Islamic palace which I visited on the same day as seeing this tower. I can’t for the life of me remember the name of the place though.
Could it be the Red Palace (Lal Mahal), perhaps…? It’s in Delhi’s Nizzamuddin area.
This makes me sad that I am not in Delhi right now. I had to get out of the Euro zone before my visa would have been ready. Oh well, there is always next year 🙂 Thanks for the info. Also it is great to discover you blog!
Thanks 🙂
Good thing we booked our India flight already. Can’t wait to experience the adventure and to see this tower of Delhi!
Ooh, fun. Delhi is so full of colours, tastes, smells, sights, sounds…
wow looks great! seems a truly interesting monument to a time now lost. It really is a shame you can’t climb it as I would love to get to the top. Just another reason I need to get to India
I’d love to see the view from the top as well.
Interesting landscape and what a rich history it has. Wow!
Great photo, Sophie. I love the vivid colors 🙂
Already in Delhi 🙂 Its a great thing to discover your blog Sophie. Is there any other place like this Tower. I would love to explore Delhi, this place is really awesome.
Thanks!
It’s hard to appreciate just how tall this minaret is. I had to go back and reread how high it was. I’ve never heard f it but what a beautiful building. Wonder if I’ll ever make it to Delhi.
Wow what an impressive structure. That’s terrible about the children dying all those years ago
Qutubh minar is a Important Part of India tourism.
There are lots of places to visit in Delhi but Qutub Minar is the most famous and most visiting tourism place in India.
I liked your writing skills in this Post about the tallest Minaret in India, Qutub Minar ! Your post is short and precise… Keep Writing 🙂