Did You Know?
Qutub Minar has survived a major earthquake and two lightning accidents!
It was built by three rulers – Qutab-ud-din Aibak, Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, and Firoze Shah Tughlak
Almost all of us have visited the Qutub Minar, a 73-metre tall (240 feet) tapering minaret that forms part of the Qutub complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mehrauli, Delhi. The construction was commissioned by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, in 1193 CE. It was originally built as a victory tower to commemorate his victory over the Hindu Chauhan Rajputs.
The Qutub Minar is made of red sandstone and marble. It is decorated with intricate carvings and inscriptions. The base of the minaret is square, while the shaft is cylindrical. The minaret has five stories, each of which is smaller than the one below it. The top of the minaret is crowned with a chhatri, or dome.
Specifications
There are 379 stairs in the Qutub Minar. The spiral staircase is located inside the minaret and winds its way up to the top. It has a diameter of 14.32 metres (47 feet) at the base and 2.75 metres (9 feet) at the top. It was built in five stages between 1193 and 1368 CE.
At one time, people could go right to the top of the minar and get a panoramic view of the Mehrauli. The public at present, is not allowed to go to any of the floors. The stairs to the top have been closed since 1981 due to safety concerns. There was a stampede in 1981 that killed 47 people. The Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for the maintenance of the Qutub Minar.
Why is the minar unique
It is the tallest brick minaret in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers.
The iron pillar in the minaret has not rusted in 2000 years! The reason behind this is that it is made of 98 per cent wrought iron, a significant amount of phosphorus, and a null amount of magnesium or sulphur, making it all the more long-lasting.
It was built in three stages by three rulers of Delhi. It was started by Qutab-ud-din Aibak. The ruler was able to build one storey of the monument, while the rest were built by his successors Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, and finally Firoze Shah Tughlak.
It is home to Quwwat-Ul-Islam, the first mosque ever to be built in India. Since Qutb-ud-din Aibak is said to be the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, his rule marked the beginning of the first Muslim ruler in India.
It has survived a major earthquake and two lightning accidents! The monument survived damages from an earthquake from the 16th century as well as being struck by lightning twice in the 14th century.
