Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar is Delhi’s oldest monument. It was built as a symbol of justice, sovereignty and Islam. It is located near the village of Mehrauli, 15 kilometers south of Connaught Place. It was built by the first Muslim dynasty to rule India.
The Qutub Minar is a landmark in Delhi. It is made of sandstone. It was built as a victory monument by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak and completed by Illtutmish. Nearby, are the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the entrance gate – the Alai Darwaza. At the center, stands a 4th-century relic of the Gupta period, a black iron pillar that was originally part of a Vishnu temple.
The Qutub Minar is 73 m high and consists of five storeys. The diameter of the base is 14.4 m and 2.7 m at the top. In Qutub Minar, for the first time, contrasting colours were used decoratively. The beautifully carved honeycomb details, beneath the balconies and calligraphy bands displaying verses from the Quran, give a refreshing sight.
