Timings : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Qutub Minar remains open for tourists all days except Sunday
Time Required : 2 to 3 hours
Entry Fee : Indians, SAARC and BIMSTEC: INR 40, Foreign tourists: INR 600 Children up to 15 years: Free with valid ID
Nearest Metro Station : Qutub Minar on Yellow Line
Dimensions : 14.3 metres (47 feet) base diameter 2.7 metres (9 feet) top diameter 379 steps of the staircase
Height : 72.5 metres (238 ft)
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Also Refered As:
Qutub Complex
Ways to Experience this attraction
5.0
Qutub Minar Private Tour by car with Skip the line
3.0 hour
Deals start ₹500
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5.0
Qutub Minar and Humayun Tomb Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket
3.0 hour
Deals start ₹3,500
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4.8
New Delhi: Qutub Minar Light & Sound Show Tour
3.0 hour
Deals start ₹890
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5.0
Delhi in a Day: Private Tour, Qutub Minar & Tickets
7.0 hour - 8.0 hour
Deals start ₹622
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5.0
Delhi: Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar and Humayun Tomb Tour
5.0 hour
Deals start ₹480
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4.8
Delhi: Old and New Delhi Private Tour - Half Day or Full Day
4.0 hour - 8.0 hour
Deals start ₹636
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Qutub Minar, Delhi Overview
Qutub Minar is a minaret or a victory tower located in Qutub complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi's Mehrauli area. With the height of 72.5 metres (238 ft), Qutub Minar is the second tallest monument of Delhi. Its construction was started in 1192 by Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, founder of Delhi Sultanate after he defeated the last Hindu Ruler of Delhi. He constructed the basement, after which the construction was taken over by his son-in-law and successor Iltutmish who constructed three additional stories. The fourth and fifth storeys were built by Firoz Shah Tuglak.
Built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, founder of the Mamluk or Slave dynasty, this was the first mosque of India. It was constructed from the parts of the Hindu and Jain temples which were destroyed under the I (Read More)slamic rule.
2. Alai Darwaza
It is the main gateway from the southern side of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Built by the second Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1311 AD, it is an important structure of Delhi. It has domes decorated with red sa (Read More)ndstone and white marbles.
The pillar was constructed by Chandragupta II Vikramaditya. It is 7.21-metre high and weighs more than six tonnes. The fascinating fact about the Iron Pillar is that it has not been rusted since the d (Read More)ay it was erected. Another striking feature of the Qutub Complex is the Tomb of Iltutmish who was the second Sultan of Delhi. In the centre of the tomb, the main cenotaph of white marble is placed on a raised platform. It has awe-inspiring Islamic architecture.
Alauddin Khilji started building the Alai Minar and wanted it to be two times higher than Qutub Minar. However, after his death in 1316, the monument was never completed by his successors. The first s (Read More)torey of the Alai Minar still stands today at Qutub Complex.
5. Tomb of Adham Khan
Adham Khan's Tomb located in the North of Qutub Minar is a 16th-century tomb of Adham Khan. He was a general of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Read More on Qutub Minar
History of Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar was built in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate to mark his victory against the last Hindu empire of Delhi. It is not sure whether the minaret was a dedication to a Sufi saint, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki or not. Aibak built only the basement of the monument, and three more storeys were added by his successor, Iltutmish.
Old Buildings in the Premises of Qutub Minar
Unfortunately, this historical monument faced a few natural disasters. In 1369 AD, severe lightning struck the top storey of the minaret, damaging it completely. Then, Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq rebuilt the monument and added another storey made of marble and red sandstone. Again, in 1505, an earthquake ruined the minaret. Sikandar Lodi, who was the Sultan at that time reconstructed the top two storeys of the minaret with marbles.
Ruins of Ancient Jain Temple in Qutub Minar
That was not the end. The monument was hit yet again by a major earthquake on September 1, 1803. It was reduced to wreck after which Major Robert Smith of the British Indian Army rebuilt it in 1828. He also installed a cupola atop the tower. However, in 1848, it was uninstalled on the command of the then Governor-General of India, Henry Hardinge. Today, that cupola is on the ground floor to the east of Qutub Minar.
Architecture of Qutub Minar
The incredible Qutub Minar soars to a height of 240 ft. with a diameter of 14.3 m at the base and 2.7 m at the top. The spiral staircase consisting of 379 stairs takes one to the top of the monument. It also tilts a little from 65 m above the ground level. The five-storey building has been built with red sandstone and marble.
Pleasant View of Qutub Minar
Every floor has a protruding balcony surrounding the minaret and supported by corbels. It is a classic example of Indo-Islamic architecture. With the difference in the architectural styles and the materials used in construction, it is apparent that the tower was constructed over the years by different rulers.
Tomb of Imam Zamin in Qutub Minar Complex
The first three storeys are made of red stone and are relatively pale. The fourth one is white as it is made up of marble. The last storey is made of sandstone. Verses from the Quran can be seen engraved on the minaret with other inscriptions of Parso-Arabic and Nagari characters.
Qutub Festival
The Qutub Festival, held in Qutub Minar in November- December is a three-day festival to celebrate the magnificence of the monument and flaunt its past glory to the entire world. It is organized jointly by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation and the Sahitya Kala Parishad. The festival includes cultural shows and art forms that allure people from all over the world. It brings together some fine folk and classical musicians. In this festival, Qutub Minar gets both national and international attention that it deserves. The three days of music and dance revitalize and bring life to the monument. The food stalls offering scrumptious regional delicacies add to the razzmatazz of the event.
Best Time To Visit Qutub Minar
Since Delhi witnesses scorching temperature in summers, it is wise to explore and unveil the city in winters. October to March is the perfect time to visit Delhi. The tourists generally 2 hours to explore the Complex.
Trivia About Qutub Minar
1. Qutb Minar means pole or axis in Arabic. 2. Earlier, the general public was allowed to access the top of the tower but on December 4, 1981, due to electricity failure, 45 people were killed in a stampede. Therefore, the public was denied to enter into Qutub Minar. 3. Popular Bollywood actor, Dev Anand wanted to shoot one of the songs of his film inside the minaret. However, the cameras did not fit inside the tower. So, the song was shot in the replica of Qutub Minar.
How To Reach Qutub Minar
Once you are in Delhi, it is very easy to reach Qutub Minar. Autorickshaws and cabs are readily available to take you there. The nearest metro station from Qutub Minar is the Qutub Minar Metro Station which falls on the Yellow Line. It is approximately 3 Km away from the monument.
Entrance of the Qutub Minar
There are many parking lots available around Qutub Minar. Tourists are able to park their cars hassle-free. The official car parking area of Qutub Minar is just 800 metres away from the Minar.
This structure is about 240 meters tall, with five storeys. The staircase within the monument moves upwards in a spiral manner. However, access to the top is restricted owing to safety concerns. The (Read More)entrance fee is Rs.30 for Indian Citizens and Rs.500 for foreigners. Once you are inside the Qutub complex, you will need to walk a lot to cover all the structures within, so make sure to wear comfortable footwear. ATM vestibules are available nearby so you can buy trinkets from the hawkers nearby, or eat at the several restaurants like the Indian Accent, Wasabi, Bukhara and the Hauz Khas Social. You can visit to the nearby places of attractions like the famous Delhi Haat, Khan Market, Hauz Khas Village, and the Lodi Gardens.
neha choudhary
on Qutub Minar 5 years ago
Nice place to visit and for those who love Visiting Historical Monument
takeout best
on Qutub Minar 5 years ago
Qutub Minar is the tallest minaret made up of bricks till date and is given UNESCO world heritage site status. It was built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in 1193. This tower is 73-meter high with five storey (Read More)?s and projecting balconies
Arushi Gorsi
on Qutub Minar 6 years ago
Qutub Minar is as tall as the tales tell. The structure is covered with beautiful carvings. Apart from its historical and architectural value, Qutub Minar has become one of Delhi's favourite spots fo (Read More)r picnics. You will not only see tourists here but also a lot of local people, just chilling as you would find endless 'thella-walas' selling chaats that, of course, are a national favourite.
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