Qutub Minar was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate (Mamluk/Slave dynasty), who began its construction in 1193 CE. After Aibak's death in 1210, his successor and son-in-law Iltutmish completed the minaret by adding three more storeys. Firuz Shah Tughlaq later added the 5th storey after the top was damaged by lightning in the 14th century. The minaret stands 72.5 metres tall in Mehrauli, South Delhi, making it the tallest brick minaret in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Qutub Minar construction began in 1193 CE by Qutub-ud-din Aibak (founder of Delhi Sultanate).
Completed by Iltutmish (~1220 CE) — added 3 more storeys.
Firuz Shah Tughlaq rebuilt the 4th storey and added the 5th (1369 CE) after lightning damage.
Height: 72.5 metres — tallest brick minaret in the world.
5 storeys, 379 spiral stairs. Material: red sandstone and marble.
Location: Mehrauli, South Delhi.
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.
The complex also includes: Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Iron Pillar of Delhi, Alai Darwaza.
Timeline of construction:
1193 CE — Qutub-ud-din Aibak: • Began construction of the first storey of Qutub Minar • The minaret was built next to the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (the first mosque built in Delhi after Islamic conquest) • Aibak used materials from 27 demolished Hindu and Jain temples at the site • Died in 1210 before completion
~1220 CE — Iltutmish (Shams ud-Din Iltutmish): • Son-in-law and successor of Qutub-ud-din Aibak • Added three more storeys (making it 4 storeys total) • Iltutmish's storeys used marble in addition to red sandstone
1369 CE — Firuz Shah Tughlaq: • The fourth storey (built by Iltutmish) was damaged by lightning • Firuz Shah Tughlaq rebuilt the damaged storey and added a new fifth storey • The 5th storey is made of marble and sandstone in a different style
1503 CE — Sikandar Lodi: • Minor repair work was carried out
Feature | Detail Height | 72.5 metres (237.8 ft) Base diameter | 14.3 metres Top diameter | 2.75 metres Storeys | 5 (with a balcony at each storey) Stairs | 379 spiral steps Material | Red sandstone (lower 3 storeys) + marble (upper storeys) Style | Indo-Islamic architecture Location | Mehrauli, South Delhi, India Built in | 1193–1220 CE (main structure) UNESCO Heritage | 1993 (part of Qutb Minar and Its Monuments complex)
Qutub Minar is the tallest minaret (tower for call to prayer) built of brick in the world.
The complex (Qutb Minar and Its Monuments) also includes: • Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (first mosque in Delhi, c. 1193 CE) • Iron Pillar of Delhi (4th–5th century CE, over 1,600 years old — still rust-free) • Alai Darwaza (built by Alauddin Khilji, 1311 CE) • Tomb of Iltutmish
Qutub-ud-din Aibak: • Born: c. 1150 CE, Central Asia • Originally a Turkic slave general of Muhammad of Ghor • After Muhammad of Ghor's assassination (1206), Aibak established independent rule in India • Founded the Delhi Sultanate (Mamluk/Slave dynasty) in 1206 CE • Died: 1210 CE (fell from his horse during a polo match in Lahore) • Known for: commissioning Qutub Minar and the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque • Also built the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra mosque in Ajmer • Called 'Lakh Baksh' (giver of lakhs) for his generosity
Note on the name 'Qutub Minar': The minaret may be named after:
Qutub Minar was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, who began construction in 1193 CE. After his death in 1210, his successor Iltutmish completed the structure by adding three more storeys (~1220 CE). Firuz Shah Tughlaq later added the 5th storey after the top was damaged by lightning (1369 CE).
Qutub Minar is 72.5 metres (237.8 feet) tall. It is the tallest brick minaret in the world. The base diameter is 14.3 metres and it tapers to 2.75 metres at the top. It has 5 storeys and 379 spiral stairs.
The Qutb Minar and Its Monuments complex in Delhi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The complex includes Qutub Minar, the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the Iron Pillar of Delhi, the Alai Darwaza, and the Tomb of Iltutmish.
Qutub-ud-din Aibak was a Turkic slave general who served Muhammad of Ghor. After his master's assassination in 1206, Aibak established the Mamluk (Slave) dynasty — the first dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. He ruled from 1206 until his death in 1210 (fell from a horse during a polo match). He commissioned Qutub Minar and the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Delhi.
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