Qutub Minar

The Qutub Minar is a 12th-century minaret and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Delhi, India. Standing as one of the tallest brick minarets in the world, it exemplifies early Indo-Islamic architecture and marks the beginning of Muslim rule in northern India.

Key facts

• Location: Mehrauli, Delhi, India

• Height: 72.5 meters (238 feet)

• Construction started: 1192 CE

• Founder: Qutb-ud-din Aibak

• UNESCO designation: 1993

Historical background

Commissioned by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1192 CE and completed by his successor Iltutmish, the Qutub Minar commemorates the establishment of Muslim dominance in Delhi after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom. The tower was inspired by Afghanistan’s Minaret of Jam and built using red sandstone and marble.

Architecture and design

The minar features five distinct stories, separated by projecting balconies and adorned with intricate carvings and verses from the Qur’an. Its fluted cylindrical shaft tapers from 14.3 meters in diameter at the base to 2.7 meters at the top. Architectural styles evolve from the early Islamic base to later additions showcasing Indo-Islamic ornamentation.