Qutub Minar: Delhi Sultanate's minarate that receives most tourists

       Qutub Minar, one of the highest tower in India, having diameter of 14.32 m at the base and about 2.75 m on the top with a height of 72.5 m, is a 13th century red sandstone minaret, located in the south of Delhi. The surrounding area contains Alai-Darwaza, two mosques, including the Quwwatu'l-Islam, and an iron pillar, according to UNESCO Heritage Site descriptions.

Qutub Minar in New Delhi on Thursday, March 16, 2023. (Photo by R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

 

         As per information published by Delhi Tourism, Qutbu'd-Din Aibak laid the foundation of Minar in AD 1199 and raised the first storey, to which were added three more storeys by his successor Iltutmish (AD 1211-36).

         Qutub Minar has been one of the historical spots which received 3,81,249 Indian visitors and 9,063 foreign tourists between April and June in 2022, that made it a most visited tourist destination, according to data shared by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). 

Qutub Minar in New Delhi on Thursday, March 16, 2023. (Photo by R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

         Despite having those facts, historians have been arguing over who really built the Qutub Minar.

         Views, uncommon to the popular history, deny the above claim and say that Qutub Minar was built by emperor Samudragupta and its real name was Vishnu Stambha. 

Qutub Minar in New Delhi on Thursday, March 16, 2023. (Photo by R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

         With the change of government in the centre, RSS-powered BJP-led rule, such arguments propel the debate of history writings. It disclaims the yet-believe facts propagated by other genre of writings including leftist, saying these are perverted and distorted. In this row, Supreme Court’s decision on Ram Mandir in the favour of this group, has proved their claim. 

        It’s a public and intellectual debate, that will go long. Sometimes we will be participant, and sometimes not. But, like a concern citizen, we should never miss the opportunity to explore the city where we live. 

R. Suresh Bhardwaj, blogger, poses for photograph in the backdrop of Qutub Minar on Thursday, March 16, 2023. (Photo snapped by Rahul Jangra)

         For this attempt, this time I visited Qutub Minar on Thursday, March 16, 2023 and captured glimpses of the Qutub complex. Let enjoy the fervour of this premised by your digital tour of Qutub archaeological site.

Qutub Minar -

   Qutub Minar: As per information published by Delhi Tourism, Qutbu'd-Din Aibak laid the foundation of Minar in AD 1199 and raised the first storey, to which were added three more storeys by his successor Iltutmish (AD 1211-36) (Photo by R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

Alai Minar - 

Alai Minar: Alai Minar is an unfinished Minar located at the Qutub premises. Its construction was undertaken by Alauddin Khilji. Alauddin Khilji wanted to erect a tower double the height of Qutub Minar. However, his death left it incomplete with its height reaching only up to 24.5 metres. (Source- Indian Culture) (Photo by R.Suresh Bhardwaj)

Iron Pillar - 

Iron Pillar: The 'Iron Pillar', made up of 99% pure malleable iron, is situated in the centre of the courtyard of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. It represents one of the most outstanding metallurgical advancements of ancient India as it has not deteriorated much in it’s more than 1600 years of existence, despite consistently remaining exposed to the weathering agents. (Source - Archaeological Survey of India) (Photo by R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

Alai Darwaza - 

Alai Darwaza: Alai Darwaza, Alai Gate, is the main gateway from the southern side of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. It was built by Alauddin Khalji, the second Sultan of the medieval short-lived Khalji dynasty in 1311. After returning successfully from his Deccan campaigns, Alauddin Khilji decided to show his gratitude to God by embarking on an ambitious project to enlarge the mosque (Source - Delhi Information) (Photo by R. Suresh Bhardwaj)