Delhi is a city that not all of us can truly understand, even though we were born and raised in Delhi, as well as having lived there for most of our adult lives. Why fear when we are here? We are your Delhi guide and we’re back with another chapter!
Today’s Delhi Chronicles spills the beans on some lesser known facts and interesting information about the Qutub Minar. Qutub Minar, a monument located in Delhi’s first fortified town, Lal Kot founded by Tomar Rajputs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is in Mehrauli. We have eight facts about the popular Minaret that every Delhiite should be aware of. Let us know what facts you know by leaving a comment!
Know top 8 Amazing Facts About Qutub Minar
1. Iron Pillar
Iron Pillar in the Qutub Complex has many hidden features and mysteries.
2. Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid
Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid is located near Qutub Minar. It means, “The Might of Islam Mosque.”
The mosque is built on the same foundation as a Hindu Temple. It’s easy to see the difference in design.
The mosque, unlike Qutub Minar which is known for its architectural beauty and rich history, is notorious because of circumstances in which it was constructed.
Qutub-uddin Aibak is credited with the destruction of nearly 27 Hindu temples and Jain shrines before his formation.
It is therefore seen as an emblem of violence caused by communal dominance.
3. Tourism
Tourists were allowed to climb the top of this tower until 1981. A stampede in December 1981 led to the death of 50 people. The failure of electricity caused the accident. There were between 300 and 400 people in the tower, which led to panic. The public is no longer allowed to enter the tower.
4. Stampede
Before 1974, the public was permitted to climb the tower. Around 45 people died in December 1981 after an electrical failure plunged the staircase of the tower into darkness. The public was banned from entering the tower after this incident.
5. Name Confusion
Qutb minar is not named for Qutb Al-Din Aibak the Emperor or Qutubuddin Bahtiar Kaki the Sufi Saint.
6. The Rajput Towers
This tower has been built using many inscriptions in Arabic and Nagari script. The structure was also inspired by Rajput towers.
7. Iltutmish grave
Iltutmish’s grave is the secret grave built in 1235 AD. The secret was first discovered in the year 1914.
8. Three Sultans’ Mission
Qutub Minar has been built in several decades. Qutb Ud Din Aibak was the first Sultan of New Delhi. He built this structure in 1192. But he only knew the first floor. Ilutmish completed the three floors that his predecessor began.
Firuz Tughluq, the third sultan, added his own stone by building the final level of the structure, in the same way as the two first princes. New Delhi shows its appreciation to these prominent sultans for their contribution in building the national symbol!
Final words
Qutub Minar is open from sunrise to sunset. The place should be visited at sunset to experience a mesmerizing and striking light show.
Visit Timings : Open all Days 6:00AM to 6:00PM