Qutub Minar - the World's Tallest Brick Minaret

Mention sightseeing in India and people all across the world start visualizing the Taj Mahal. No doubt, the beauty of this marble masterpiece of the Mughal era remains unsurpassed. It has now also become one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However, there are other lesser known, but equally fascinating, monuments existing in India.

One such is the Qutub Minar located in New Delhi, the capital city of India. Those visiting India should not miss visiting the Qutub complex, which offers several other ancient and medieval structures, now mostly in ruins, but certainly worth a look.

The construction of this 72 meters or 237.8 feet high minaret commenced in 1193 AD under India's first Muslim ruler Qutb-ud-din Aibak, who incidentally started as a slave, and completed in 1386 AD by Firuz Shah Tughluq. This five storied structure has 379 steps leading to the top.

It is the highest brick minaret in the world and the architectural styles from Aibak to Tuglak are much in evidence. The minaret is beautifully carved and displays inscriptions all around it. The structure has a broad base of 14.3 meters that narrows to just 2.73 meters at the top, as it rises. This prime example of Indo-Islamic architecture is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What was the reason for building such a minaret? Some say it was a kind of a victory tower built by Mughals to commemorate their victories, others maintain that it was used for offering prayers, still others believe that it was simply a watch tower. Whatever it was for, it is worth a look. And the view of the city from the top is truly magnificent! But, this is not all that you get to see in the Qutub complex!

Sultan Alauddin Khilji wanted to outdo the Qutub Minar and started constructing another tower in its vicinity. The base of this minaret was raised to only 12 meters when he died and that put paid to his 'towering' ambition. This rubble masonry and mortar structure can still be seen, in fact, you can walk up its incline too. Had this dream of the Sultan been realized, this tower would not only have surpassed the Qutub Minar, but would have been twice its size!

Another fascinating object in the Qutub complex is the Ashoka Pillar. This metallurgical marvel is completely made of rust proof iron! Imagine ancient metallurgy creating something like this! There is a belief attached to this pillar. If you stand with your back touching the pillar and are able to encircle the column with your arms, so that your hands meet, you can have your wish granted! However, this is no more allowed to prevent damage to the iron column.

Getting to the Qutub complex is easy. Land at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Take a pre-paid taxi to the Qutub Minar, located in Mehrauli on Aurobindo Marg. It is about thirty minutes drive from the airport. And don't forget to keep your cameras handy!