The Qutab Minar, situated in the southern part of Delhi, is the highest stone tower in India. Built in the Indo-Islamic style, this five storeyed architectural wonder is about 239 ft. high. The foundation of the building, built to celebrate the victory of Muhammad Ghori over the Rajputs, was laid by Qutab-ud-Din Aibak in 1199. The second, third and fourth floors of the building were constructed by Iltutmish, the son-in-law of Qutab-Ud-Din, in 1230. Having a diameter of 14.32 mts. at the base and 2.75 mts. at the top, the minar is covered with inscriptions in Arabic that provide useful insights into the times of the Muslim rule. The tower was struck by lightning in 1368 and was repaired in the subsequent years by Firoz Shah Tughlaq and Sikander Lodi. The first three storeys of the structure are made of red sandstone while the top two storeys are made of marble and sandstone. The entry to the top of the tower leading through the staircase inside has been closed for visitors following an accident in the 1980's.
Nearby Attractions
Iron Pillar
The Iron Pillar dates back to the 4th century. It was set up in honour of the Hindu God Vishnu and king Chandragupta. The pillar made of wrought iron has stood for more than 1600 years without showing any signs of rusting.
Red Fort
The Red Fort or Lal Qila, as it is more commonly known, is one of the most visited tourist spots in India. Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort is a fine example of the Mughal architecture.
India Gate
The India Gate is a 42 metre high structure built to honour the soldiers martyred during world war I. The lush gardens surrounding the India Gate are a favourite hang out spot for tourists and locals.
How to Reach
The Qutab Minar is situated in the Mehrauli region of North Delhi. Delhi is connected to various cities through air, rail and road transport.
By Air - Delhi is well connected to major Indian and International cities through its two airports-the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Palam Domestic Airport. Taxis and auto rickshaws are available at the airport to reach the city.
By Rail - Delhi has two main railway stations at Old Delhi and New Delhi. The stations are situated at a short distance from Cannaught Place. Express trains are available to reach Delhi from all major cities in India.
Taxi Services In DelhiBy Road - A/C and non A/C buses provide regular services from all the neighbouring states including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
There are various options to move around inside the city. Buses, taxis, metro train, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are some of the options to travel around the place. The metro train and taxis are a better option as buses can be overcrowded and uncomfortable at times.
Accommodation
A wide range of accomodation arrangements including luxury, deluxe and budget category hotels are available in Delhi. These hotels provide all facilities to make the stay of the tourists comfortable. Some of the most popular 5 star deluxe hotels in Delhi are Hotel Le Meridian, Hotel Taj Mahal, The Radisson, Park Royal Inter-Continental, The Oberoi etc.