TOUR DE DELHI volume 1 | Page 8

Qutub Minar is one of the favourite destinations for tourists. It is made up of red and buff standstones and the highest tower in India. It was built in 1193 by Qutub-ud-din Aibak after he defeated Delhiā€™s last hindu kingdom. Qutub Minar is 73 meter tall with a circular staircase with 379 steps that leads to top.

Qutub Minar was struck by lightning couple of times and an earthquake damaged top two floor of the Qutub Minar during the period of Firoz Shah.

Qutub Minar is known as heritage of India.People visit qutub minar, get clicked but the other aspects are avoided. The history of Qutub Complex unveils many stories and places which people often forget. There are 5 other important elements in qutub complex which are somewhere lost in the shade of Qutub Minar.

Alai Darwaza

Alai Darwaza was built under the ruling of Ala-ud-din Khilji in 131. Alai Darwaza is known as the first monument that reveals the real Islamic imprints. The Alai Darwaza later extended by Ala-ud-din Khilji to form a gateway providing an enterance that leads to the courtyard of the Quwwat-ul-islam Masjid. The Alai-Darwaza added the charm of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque with its beautiful arches and fringes.

Alai Minar

The Alai Minar is an incomplete monument which was built by Alauddin Khilji after its win from Deccan Campaigns. The sultan dreamt of constructing Alai Minar to show his victory to the peoples. He wanted the tower that would be the double the height of Qutub Minar.

The construction of Minar was completed till the height of 24.5 meters and then unfortunately the construction was stopped after the death of Allaudin Khilji in 1316.