Qutub Minar, Delhi: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips

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Qutub Minar Overview

The Qutub Minar is built with exquisitely carved marble and sandstone. The tower is 73 metres tall and the diameter at the base is 47 feet, which creates its tapering structure, much like the shape of a cone.

The 5 storeys of the tower are carved with intricate sculptural work till it reaches the top of the Minar whose diameter is 9 feet. The construction of this minaret started in the year 1199 AD and continued till the year 1369 AD, making it one of the oldest standing structures in Delhi.

Due to its immense historical significance, the UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. There is also a spiral staircase inside with 379 steps leading from the base to the uppermost tip of the tower.

The influence of all the different emperors and rulers who played a role in the construction of the minaret can be seen clearly on the tower in the form of its various colours, shapes, inscriptions and engraving techniques.

While the bottom half of the tower is made with red sandstone, some parts of the Qutub Minar are also made with white marble and yellow sandstone. From certain angles, the minaret also appears tilted, which historians believe might have been due to the various centuries of craftsmanship that it has been subjected to.

The Qutub Minar has also survived various earthquakes that have taken place in Delhi throughout history, which makes it one of the city’s most fascinating attractions.

Location: Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi, 110030

Price: To tour this heritage site, the Indian citizens need to pay a charge of INR 10, while foreign nationals have to pay INR 250 to enter.

Timing: Monday to Sunday (7:00 am – 5:00 pm)

A trip to the capital city of Delhi is incomplete without visiting some of its most iconic monuments, including the Qutub Minar. It is a historical minaret that can be found in the Mehrauli area of Delhi and is considered one of the most notable, significant and important structures of Indian architecture and history.

The Qutub Minar is built with exquisitely carved marble and sandstone. The tower is 73 metres tall and the diameter at the base is 47 feet, which creates its tapering structure, much like the shape of a cone.

The 5 storeys of the tower are carved with intricate sculptural work till it reaches the top of the Minar whose diameter is 9 feet. The construction of this minaret started in the year 1199 AD and continued till the year 1369 AD, making it one of the oldest standing structures in Delhi.

Due to its immense historical significance, the UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. There is also a spiral staircase inside with 379 steps leading from the base to the uppermost tip of the tower.

This lofty and magnificent minaret attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year, who travel from all parts of the country and even from international countries to visit the Qutub Minar. Another interesting aspect of the Qutub Minar is the general appearance of the tower.

The influence of all the different emperors and rulers who played a role in the construction of the minaret can be seen clearly on the tower in the form of its various colours, shapes, inscriptions and engraving techniques.

While the bottom half of the tower is made with red sandstone, some parts of the Qutub Minar are also made with white marble and yellow sandstone. From certain angles, the minaret also appears tilted, which historians believe might have been due to the various centuries of craftsmanship that it has been subjected to.

The Qutub Minar has also survived various earthquakes that have taken place in Delhi throughout history, which makes it one of the city’s most fascinating attractions.

Location: Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi, 110030

Price: To tour this heritage site, the Indian citizens need to pay a charge of INR 10, while foreign nationals have to pay INR 250 to enter.

Timing: Monday to Sunday (7:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Qutub Complex

The Qutub Minar complex moderately spread over a relatively large area with several other historical monuments co existing with the primary minaret in the heritage site. The dome of Islam or the Qubbat- Ul-Islam Mosque is built right beside the Qutub Minar.

Every time a new dynasty like the Khiljis, Tughlaqs and the British East Indian company successfully established their control over Delhi, they added a new structure in the complex.

The other important architectural monuments, besides the Qutub Minar, are the Alai Darwaza, the Alai Minar and the Great Iron Pillar (has not rusted since its construction in the 3rd and 4th century AD). The tombs of Iltutmish, Imam Zamin and Alauddin Khilji can also be found in the same complex.

History of Qutub Minar

The construction of the Qutub Minar started in the year 1199 during the reign of Qutubuddin Aibak, who was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate. However, only the first storey of the minaret was completed during his lifetime. Later in 1220, Shamshuddin Iltutmish the son-in-law of Qutubuddin Aibak, added 3 more storeys to the Qutub Minar.

In the year 1369, the topmost part of the Minar was destroyed by lightning. This part was rebuilt by Firoz Shah Tughlaq in 1505. He also added another storey while renovating the tower.

The entrance was constructed by Sher Shah Suri. Later, two major earthquakes in Delhi destroyed most parts of the tower. It was first rebuilt by Sikandar Lodhi and once more by the British Army Major Robert Smith, who finally repaired and constructed the sixth and the final storey in the year 1828.

Architecture of Qutub Minar

The Qutub Minar is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture, which is one of the most distinct architectural styles in Indian history. The magnificent pillar stands tall with a total height of 240 feet with a broad circular base of 14.3 feet which gradually tapers at the top, whose base is 2.7 meters. The tower is built with the finest quality marble and exquisite red sandstone.

A magnificent spiral staircase winds up to the top of the Minar and it consists of 379 stairs. The Qutub Minar consists of 5 storeys and each storey has a circular balcony which is decorated with intricate architectural designs.

All the five balconies are supported by corbels, which are small wooden or stone structures that provide support to a suspended structure, in this case, the balconies of the Qutub Minar. However, the most fascinating feature Qutub Minar is perhaps the fact that so many distinctly different rules and emperors participated in the construction of the tower.

They all did so with their own unique choice of materials and using their own choice of construction materials and styles, which led to a multicultural architectural monument. The base and the first three storeys are built with red sandstone and therefore appears a shade of pale red.

The fourth storey is built with pristine white marble and the last part is built with sandstone. The walls of the minaret are inscribed with the poetic verses from the Holy Quran. The inscriptions in the Parsi-Arabic can also be found engraved on the inner walls of the Qutub Minar.

How To Reach

The easiest and fastest way to travel from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to the Qutub Minar is by taking a taxi from Terminal 2 of the airport. However, it can be expensive, and if you are looking for cheaper options, you can choose to travel by Subway.

From the airport, you can take the subway to New Delhi and from there, to Qutub Minar. The cheapest way to travel from the airport to the Minar is by taking a bus, which will directly drop you in front of the Qutub Minar after a ride of around 1 hour.

Best Time To Visit

Due to its inland location, Delhi sees some of the hottest summers in the country. Therefore, the best time to go visit the Qutub Minar would be during winter. Winters in Delhi are cold, but it is much more pleasant to walk around the Qutub Complex and observe the Minar in peace and comfort, rather than face the scorching summer heat.

Even so, it is better if you visit in the evening, when the heat has considerably subsided. You can also watch the Qutub Minar light up in the evenings. The Qutub Festival is held during November and December, which makes it the ideal time to visit the tower.

Other Essential Information

Places to eat near Qutub Minar

Delhi is a wonderfully historic city, no doubt, but what makes it even more exciting is the range of unique and recognizable food that can be found in the quaint streets and iconic restaurants of this old city. The area around the Qutub Minar is also littered with famous eateries where you can get yourself a hearty meal in between tours.

1. The Grammar Room - Grammar Room is a plush and comfortable café where one can find an impressive brunch and lunch spreads, all with a wonderful view of the surrounding greenery. This cafe is situated in Mehrauli in One Style Mile.

The café remains open every day of the week except on Tuesdays. The Grammar Room is equipped with a smoking area and outdoor seating and those of you are health-conscious, you can also find vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.

2. Dramz - Dramz is located on K. D. Marg Road, which is the best place to catch up with friends and grab a drink, with a breath-taking view of the Qutub Minar. This restaurant mainly serves Eastern-European dishes with vegetarian options and vegan platters.

The average cost for two people is about INR 3000. It is mostly sought out by families and visitors because of its incredible ambience, wide variety of drinks and the stunning view of the Minar at night.

3. Rooh - Rooh is located in the Ambawala Complex, Mehrauli. It is part of a chain of Indian and Asian restaurants that have successfully set up shop outside India and have now opened its doors to the people of Delhi.

This restaurant mainly serves fusion Indian, Asian and European food. When you are in Rooh, make sure you try their famous ras malai and their lamb and pork dishes.

4. The Olive Bar And Kitchen - The Olive Bar and kitchen is one of the most popular restaurants in Mehrauli. It is located in Kalka Das Marg and serves and incredible offering of Mediterranean, European, Italian cuisine, with seafood and salads as their specialties.

If you are looking for a satisfactory fine dining experience, there is no place better than The Olive, which serves up some authentic European flavours along with some of the best cocktails and wines.

5. Qla - If you are looking for an experience that is not too different from a visit to the Qutub Minar, then you must try dining at Qla. It is located right next to the Qutub Minar and the décor of the restaurant is such that you feel like you have been transported back in time.

It is known for its great range of Meditteranian, Indian and Asian food, coupled with their warm hospitality and quiet, peaceful ambience.

Qutub Minar FAQs

What is Qutub Minar famous for?

The Qutub Minar is famous for its rich heritage and the fact that it is one of the tallest minarets in India. It is also a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO and is also certifiably the tallest minaret made of bricks in the entire world.

It is also a symbol of the secular cultural history of India, with both Islamic and Brahmanical inscriptions on the inside and outside walls of the tower. The construction of the Qutub Minar started in the 12th century, making it one of the oldest historical monuments in the whole country.

When was Qutub Minar built?

The construction of the Qutub Minar started in 1199AD. It was sanctioned by the founder of the Slave Dynasty in Delhi, namely Qutb-ud-Din Aibak. The primary structure of the Minar was completed by his successor and son-in-law- Iltutmish.

Why was the Qutub Minar closed?

The public is not allowed to access the inside of the Qutub Minar or climb to the top of it because of several accidents that have taken place over the years. Despite several suicides, access to the tower was still open till 1981, when there was an incident where the lights in the staircase of the tower failed and there was a stampede in which 47 people perished.

Most of these were school children. After the incident, no one has been allowed inside the tower, even though one can get quite close from the outside complex.

What are the special features of the Qutub Minar?

There are several special features about the Qutub Minar. For example, it is one of the tallest structures in Delhi, and also the tallest brick minaret in the world, standing at a height of 71.4 metres.

Also, the fact that several rulers have added their own unique construction techniques and tastes to the tower over several centuries has made the tower a unique monument, unlike any other. There are also Islamic inscriptions from the Quran as well as Brahmanical Hindu texts engraved on the body of the tower, which makes it incredibly unique.

How was the Qutub Minar built?

The Qutub Minar was built over several hundred years, by several rules who took control over Delhi after either succeeding to the throne, or over throwing the last dynasty. The base along with the initial three storeys of the tower is built with red sandstone.

This was done by Qutb-ud-din Aibak along with his son-in-law Iltutmish. Afterwards, another storey was added by the rile Firoz Shah Tughlaq. The tower was then rebuilt by Sikander Lodhi and also reconstruction efforts were taken on by the British Empire and the last two storeys of the Qutub Minar are made with white marble and sandstone.