Qutub Minar

This most famous landmark of Delhi towering above the Lal Kot monuments is one of the world Heritage Sites of UNESCO. It is 72.5 meters tall and tapers from a diameter of 14.4 meters to a peak diameter of red sandstone and two of marble and sandstone. Each storey is clearly distinguished from the outside because of its projecting balconies. Its foundation was laid by sultan Qutub-ud-din Aibek and was completed by his son-in-law and successor Shamsuddin Iltumish.

It is another great masterpiece of Mughal architecture. There are inscriptions all round the tower and these inscriptions reveal that Iltumish finished the tower. The structure of the wall is made as such that it widens from top to bottom, just to make the Minar stronger.

Moving upstairs inside the Minar will give you a wonderful experience and counting the stairs is always a fun for visitors. It has 378 steps which takes good amount of energy to reach at the top. The top of the tower gives an insight to Delhi because you get to see the bird's eye view of the city. To point a few sight seeing from the top, you will find views of the Hauz Khaz on the left and the walls of the Jahanpanah and Siri on the right. It was this very top of Qutub Minar that was used by Khilji's and Tughlaq kings to watch the wild Mongol hordes when they threatened Delhi. The top also served as the watch top for Tughlaq who watched Timor's army camp on the Wellington Airport. Other important monuments that are visible from the top are the walls of Tughlakabad, Humayun's Tomb, Purana Quila, Firoz Shah Kotla and Jama Masjid.

The Minar did receive some damage because of earthquakes on more than a couple of occasions but was reinstated and renovated by the respective rulers. During the rule of Firoz Shah, the Minar's two top floors got damaged due to earthquake but were repaired by Firoz Shah. In the year 1505, earthquake again struck and it was repaired by Sikandra Lodi. Later on in the year 1794, the Minar faced another earthquake and it was Major Smith, an engineer who repaired the affected parts of the Minar. He replaced Firoz Shah's pavilion with his own pavilion at the top. The pavilion was removed in the year 1848 by Lord Hardinge and now it can be seen between the Dak Bungalow and the Minar in the garden. The Minar is not that erect as it used to be because of wears and tears over the past several years. Closely looking at the mina rives you an idea that it is somewhat tilled towards one side. The Minar is very sincerely looked after by the authorities much like the same as other historic monuments in the country.