The Glorious Past of the Qutub Minar in Delhi

[TusharSuradkar]

Earlier this year I visited the Qutub Minar in Delhi after more than 17 years last time being in 2003 and found that nothing has changed except that the average time for issuing a ticket has increased multifold since the ticketing has changed from manual to computerized. L L

Similar to Hagia-Sophia in Turkey the Qutub Minar in India and its surrounding construction is believed to be originally a Hindu temple complex converted to a mosque by invaders. This is evident from the pillars, columns, entrances, wall decorations, and also the statues adorning the pillars and the walls that are all Hindu architecture and idols. This also includes the main Qutub Minaret which has numerous temple bells, Hindu mini-arches carved on it alongside the Arabic verses which are super-imposed in a type of stone which is newer and quite different in color and composition from the original sandstone of the minaret which itself appears from the top like a lotus flower depicting a popular symbol of Hinduism.

The minaret is believed to be an astronomical observation tower used by Varah Mihir after whom the town is called Mihiravali now corrupted in Hindi as Mehrauli. There is ample parking for both 2-wheelers and cars outside the main entrance and also a spacious toilet. If you are traveling by metro take the Yellow line that starts from the heart of Delhi and extends way into Gurugram and deboard at the Qutub Minar station. After this pile up in the Tuktuk or Tamtam for Rs 10 each that will drop you at the ticketing counter and the same story on way back.

Another attraction inside the Qutub Minar complex is the Iron Pillar constructed in 375 AD and standing in the open but not yet rusted proving the superb advancement of metallurgical science and technology in India 1700 years back.

Quick Facts - Qutub Minar

• Height: 72.5 meters or 239 ft

• Stories: 5

• Diameter 14.3 m at the base, 2.7 m at the top

• Steps: 379

Quick Facts - Iron Pillar

• Height: 23 feet 8 inches (7.25 meters)

• Diameter: 16 inches(40.64 cm)

• Constructed by Chandragupta II

• Weight: 6 Ton or 13,228 lb

Have you been to a historic place that was converted in its appearance from one faith to another? I’d be interested in knowing your experiences.

Until then… Happy Guiding

Accessibility Features

Being a UNESCO World Heritage site all basic accessibility features were available both outside and inside the monument for the differently-abled.

Ramp Access.

A wheelchair-accessible Entrance.

A wheelchair-accessible Parking.
A wheelchair-accessible Restroom/Toilet.

What Else To Do In Delhi

While you are in Delhi, these are the top-recommended places:

1. Red Fort
2. Humayun Tomb
3. Lotus Temple
4. Akshardham Temple
5. India Gate
6. Jama Masjid
7. Rashtrapati Bhavan
8. Tughlaqabad Fort
9. Laxmi Narayan Temple
10. Gurudwara Bangala Sahib
11. Agrasen ki Baoli
12. National War Memorial
13. Raj Ghat Memorials
14. Safdarjung’s Tomb

[MayuriKubal]

Hey @TusharSuradkar

I feel like I am reading my history textbook. Totally informative and well-described post about one of the largest pillars. One quick fact that I remember, this pillar is constructed in a bit tilted manner so that it can hold the wieght and not bend. Thanks for sharing such heritage of India.

[Rohan10]

Great to see Kutub Minar. I did visit this place in Aug 2006. Thanks for sharing superb photos here. Very nice photos. @TusharSuradkar …

[TusharSuradkar]

Thank you for the additional information @MayuriKubal

Visting a monument is reliving the history of our school textbooks.

Do you have a reference for the tilt of the Qutub Minar?

I have heard the same and also seen it for the minarets of the Taj Mahal which were built tilted outside so that in case of an earthquake they fall away from the main structure and prevent damage.

[MayuriKubal]

Yes, indeed. @TusharSuradkar I have never visited it but my mom had visited in her childhood days, somewhere in 1985. She told me the quick fact as it was told to her by the Local Tour Guide explaining the significance of the Pillar. Even she mentioned about the prevention of damage. Hope this helps

[TusharSuradkar]

Thanks, @Rohan10

2006, wow…! that was a long time back. Was it an official trip or picnic?

[Rohan10]

My father had organized Photo Exhibition on River Ganga at Lalit Kala Academy. For that event me and my all family members were there. So we had family trip @TusharSuradkar

[AjitThite]

Some of the monuments in your country especially you visited makes you feel like…some you would love to possess, some makes you feel loving, caring, some of them may be huge, weird and some makes to proud of, this is one of my favorite to be proud of along with Taj mahal, Gateway of India to name a few.

We used to see this in our books, stamps …most of our educational time. And when you be there, experiencing; Its different isn’t it. For me; it’s actually not always about the history (it was not my subject ) but the structure itself.

You allowed me travel back in time with this post. And as usual very nicely written and beautiful pics.

Thanks a lot !!

Cheers!

[TsekoV]

Hey @TusharSuradkar ,

Thanks for sharing this post with everyone. It is really interesting to learn about such an old-time temple and its specifics.

I just wanted to share with you a kind reminder to review the following article How do I choose additional topics and tags for my posts on Connect?. As most of your posts include accessibility information which is amazing, it would be great if you can add the accessibility tag in such posts too!

Thank you. : )

[Ant_Bad_Yogi]

@TusharSuradkar Interesting and beautiful place. I have been there too. Thank you for sharing your nice experience with us.

[TusharSuradkar]

True @AjitThite and very well put across the feelings of millions of Indians

Visiting monuments is a kind of time travel - both through history and our childhood

[TusharSuradkar]

That is interesting @TsekoV I have definitely overlooked the Accessibility tag perhaps because the other tags looked tempting for this Travel topic

I will edit the post in a moment and add this one. Thank you for the hint.

[TusharSuradkar]

Wow…! really - that is nice to know @Ant_Bad_Yogi especially someone living far away traveling to your place so close.

It would be interesting to see some of your photos if possible

It is always a pleasure to see the same place through someone else’s eyes

[Ant_Bad_Yogi]

@Tushar_Suradkar Sure, here is my shot. Popular angle actually. ?

[Ant_Bad_Yogi]

hahaha, sorry for the wrong rotation. @TusharSuradkar I will try to correct it.

[TusharSuradkar]

Perfect shot @Ant_Bad_Yogi That perspective is irresistible

[Ant_Bad_Yogi]

@TusharSuradkar I corrected it.

[Shrut19]

** @TusharSuradkar **

नमस्कार,

दुसरा फोटो छानच आहे कुतुब मिनार चा, पोस्ट हि छान आहे, जुन्या आठवणी जाग्या होतात गेल्यावर्षी आम्ही आशियावन समिटला लोकल गाईड मुंबई टीम

गेलो होतो, तेव्हा हो हो बस ने, दिल्ली दर्शन केलं होतं…

होहो बस पकडायची घाई नसती आम्ही व्यवस्थित एक दिवस कुतुब मिनार ला दिला असता, धावत्या भेटीच्या हि छान आठवणी आहेत…

ही पोस्ट आमच्यासोबत शेअर केल्याबद्दल धन्यवाद…

[TusharSuradkar]

अरे हो. खरंच की. मी विसरलो होतो मध्यंतरी तुम्ही सर्वजण आला होता ना दिल्लीला, मुंबई लोकल गाईड ग्रुप.

कशी झाली तुमची ट्रिप? @Shrut19

आणि अगदी खरं आहे, कुतूब मिनार परिसरात एकदा शिरकाव केला कि पाय उचलत नाही परत निघायला.

माझ्या घरापासून अगदी १५ मिनिटांच्या अंतरावर आहे मेहरौली.

आता पुन्हा कधी येणार दिल्ली ला ? एक संपूर्ण दिवस मिनार परिसरात सर्व जण मिळून साजरा करूया

[AjitThite]

Most famous angle, you got to have a photo in this angle if you’ve been here.

I think almost same angled photo is on the printed maps or post cards you buy there as sonviors. I am not sure if they still sell it there.

Very nice one @Ant_Bad_Yogi !

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers!!