QUTUB MINAR
AT
NEW DELHI
Qutub Minar is one of the historical place in
india which is located at 15 km in south direction from New Delhi.Qutab Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din
Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom.
The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a
projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at
the top.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 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'.
7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the
mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing
with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled.
The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer.
No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement.
The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer.
No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement.
His successor, Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz
Shah Tughlak constructed
the fifth and the last storey.The development of architectural styles
from Aibak to Tughlak is quite evident in the minar. The relief work and even
the materials used for construction differ.
The 238 feet Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and
tapers to nine feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented by bands of
inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by elaborately
decorated brackets.
Even though in ruins, the Quwwat Ui Islam (Light of
Islam) Mosque in the Qutab complex is one of the most magnificent structures in
the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak started its construction in 1193 and the mosque
was completed in 1197.
Iltutmush in 1230 and Alla-ud-din Khilji in 1315 made additions to the building. The main mosque comprises of an inner and outer courtyard,decorated with shafts and surrounded by piller. Most of these shafts are from the 27 Hindu temples, which were plundered to construct the mosque.
Iltutmush in 1230 and Alla-ud-din Khilji in 1315 made additions to the building. The main mosque comprises of an inner and outer courtyard,decorated with shafts and surrounded by piller. Most of these shafts are from the 27 Hindu temples, which were plundered to construct the mosque.
It is, therefore, not surprising that the Muslim mosque
has typical Hindu ornamentation. Close to the mosque is one of Delhi's most
curious antiques, the Iron Pillar.
By Air
Delhi’s airport is the
Indira Gandhi International airport and is very well connected to cities across
India and the world. There are regular flights to Delhi from Mumbai, Bangalore,
Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Goa, Kolkata, Guwahati and international
destinations as well. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is 22
kilometers away from the city centre.
By Train
Delhi is the headquarters of
the Northern Railways and there are five major railway stations in Delhi,
namely the The New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station, Nizamuddin
Railway Station, Anand Vihar Railway Terminal and Sarai Rohilla.
By Bus
Delhi is well connected by
bus to cities like Jaipur, Agra, Alwar, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Shimla, Manali,
Dharamsala, Dehradun and even Kathmandu among others.
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