Qutub Minar in Delhi is a 72.5-metre-tall tower of red and buff sandstone, begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak around 1199 and completed by later rulers. It is one of the tallest brick-and-stone minarets in the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Begun by | Qutb-ud-din Aibak, about 1199 |
| Continued by | Iltutmish (three more storeys); Firoz Shah Tughlaq later repaired and added to the top (around 1368-69) |
| Height | 72.5 metres (about 238 feet), five storeys |
| Base diameter | About 14.3 metres |
| Material | Red and buff sandstone, with some marble |
| UNESCO | World Heritage Site since 1993 |
| Location | Mehrauli, South Delhi |
Who built Qutub Minar?
The Delhi Sultanate began when Muhammad of Ghor’s general Qutb-ud-din Aibak established power in Delhi in the late 12th century. Around 1199 he laid the foundation of a tall tower near the new mosque he was building. Aibak finished only the first storey. His successor and son-in-law Iltutmish completed three more. Later, Firoz Shah Tughlaq repaired the upper storeys after damage and added the top level in the 1360s.
Historians still debate why the tower was built. Some see it as a victory tower celebrating the new rule in Delhi, while others say it was a minaret for the muezzin to call people to prayer from the neighbouring mosque. Many believe it could have served both purposes. The name is also debated: it may honour Aibak, or the Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, who is associated with Delhi.
Architecture and design
The tower tapers from a wide base to a narrower top. Each storey has a projecting balcony supported by decorative brackets, and the surfaces have bands of Arabic inscriptions and verses carved into the stone. The lower storeys are in red sandstone with fluted designs, and the upper ones include marble and buff sandstone. The difference in colours and styles is visible because several rulers built it across different centuries.
Inside there is a spiral staircase, generally said to have around 379 steps (some sources give 399, so numbers vary). Public entry inside the tower has been closed for many decades after a tragic stampede in 1981, so visitors today admire it from outside.
Damage, repairs and Smith’s Folly
The tower has suffered lightning strikes and earthquakes. Lightning struck in 1369, and earthquakes in 1505 and 1803 caused serious damage. In 1828 the British engineer Major Robert Smith restored it and added a pillared cupola on top. That cupola looked out of place and was removed in 1848; it now stands on the lawns of the complex and is nicknamed Smith’s Folly.
The Qutub complex: more than a tower
- Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque: one of the earliest mosques in India, built using carved pillars and stones taken from older temples in the area.
- Iron Pillar: a famous pillar of the Gupta period, about 1,600 years old, which has remained remarkably free of heavy rust. Its inscription mentions a king and Lord Vishnu.
- Alai Darwaza: an elegant gateway built by Alauddin Khalji, important in the history of Indo-Islamic architecture.
- Alai Minar: an unfinished tower that Alauddin planned to be twice as tall as Qutub Minar; only the base stands today.
- Tomb of Iltutmish: a richly carved tomb in the complex.
Visiting Qutub Minar
- Where: Mehrauli, South Delhi. The nearest metro station is Qutub Minar on the Yellow Line, and an auto or e-rickshaw can take you the rest of the way.
- Timings and tickets: the complex is a protected monument run by the Archaeological Survey of India and usually opens in the daytime. Ticket prices differ for Indians and foreigners and can be bought online. Please check the official ASI ticket portal before you go (last checked October 2026; we could not confirm current fees).
- Best time: October to March for pleasant weather; early morning is quieter and better for photos.
- Time needed: 1-2 hours. Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Hauz Khas are nearby if you want to explore more.
Qutub Minar timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| About 1199 | Qutb-ud-din Aibak lays the foundation and builds the first storey |
| Early 13th century | Iltutmish completes three more storeys |
| 1369 | Lightning damages the top; Firoz Shah Tughlaq repairs and rebuilds the upper storeys |
| 1505 | Earthquake damage; repairs under Sikandar Lodi |
| 1803 | Major earthquake damage |
| 1828 | Major Robert Smith restores the tower and adds a cupola |
| 1848 | Cupola removed (Smith’s Folly) |
| 1981 | Stampede inside the tower; public climbing stopped |
| 1993 | UNESCO World Heritage listing |
Reading the inscriptions and carvings
If you stand close to the tower, you will notice bands of Arabic writing in different scripts, mixed with floral patterns. These include verses from the Quran and praise for the rulers who built each section. The lower storeys have alternating round and angular flutes, while the upper storeys are smoother. The change in style helps historians see the shift from the early Delhi Sultanate to the Tughlaq period.
The columns in the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque show carved bells, chains and figures from older Hindu and Jain structures that were reused. The mosque’s screen of arches, added a little later, is among the earliest examples of Indo-Islamic design in India, with Islamic arches decorated by Indian craftsmen.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not assume you can enter the tower; it is closed to the public.
- Do not rely on one source for the number of steps, because books give both 379 and 399.
- Do not mix up Qutub Minar with Chand Minar (Daulatabad) or Alai Minar, which is a different unfinished tower inside the same complex.
Conclusion
Qutub Minar is a record in stone of the early Delhi Sultanate and the rulers who followed. Reading its inscriptions and walking through the complex gives a clear sense of how Delhi’s architecture grew in layers. It is an easy and rewarding half-day visit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who built Qutub Minar?
Qutb-ud-din Aibak started it around 1199, Iltutmish added more storeys, and Firoz Shah Tughlaq repaired and added the top.
How tall is Qutub Minar?
It is 72.5 metres (about 238 feet) tall with five storeys.
Can we climb Qutub Minar?
No, public entry inside the tower has been closed for many years after a 1981 accident.
Is Qutub Minar a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes, it was inscribed in 1993.
What is the Iron Pillar at Qutub Minar?
It is an ancient Gupta-period iron pillar, about 1,600 years old, known for its resistance to rust.
