Qutub Minar, Delhi

Visitor Information

• Famous for: History, Culture, Photography
• Entrance Fee:30 per Indian and Rs.500 per foreigner
• Visiting Time: Sunrise to Sunset
• Visit Duration: 2 hours to 3 hours

The Qutub Minar is a world famed structure which stands tall within the capital of the country, Delhi. Located at Mehrauli, the minar is about 240 meters tall and has got five storeys with a staircase which spirals all the way to the top. A building which has got great historical significance, the construction was started by Qutb ud-din Aibak in 1192 once he took over this region. A peculiar phenomenon is that the first three storeys have been constructed using red sandstone by Iltutmish while the other two storeys were built using marble and sandstone by the emperor Firoz Shah Tughlaq at different periods of time. The beautiful architecture, which attracts tourists from all over the country has been through a lot of important points in history. A cupola which was damaged in it was taken out of the building and has been set up nearby.

Traveler Tips

• The visitor access to the top of the structure is restricted due to safety concerns.
• The Qutub complex consists of a lot of structures to visit and will involve a lot of walking around.
• To counter the heat, wear a cap and carry water bottles.

Things to Do

• Take a look at the carvings on the walls which are of the verses of the Holy Quran.
• Visit the Quwwat Ul Mosque which is within the complex and was built around the same time as when the construction of minar was started.
• The very famous Iron Pillar, built before the Muslim rulers took over the region, is also a must visit because of its baffling property of not rusting and staying strong from a very long time.
• Photography can be carried out at the location which serves as a great backdrop and includes a lush green garden.
• The cupola like structure which was supposedly the sixth storey, was taken down and now can be viewed by the visitors just nearby the minaret.
• Buy stuff from the local hawkers and the markets to collect some souvenirs.
• The plethora of restaurants situated in the area are great to try out different kinds of dishes.

Availability of Guides

There are plenty of guides available to show you around the various structures located in the area. They will have to be paid a certain amount and can be available to explain the history in various languages which include English and Hindi.

Best Time to Visit

Since Delhi experiences really hot summers, it would be much better if the place is visited during the winter months i.e. from October to March. The best time to walk around the grounds would be during the evenings as the effect of the heat is lessened and makes the visit a much more pleasant experience.

How to Reach

Situated in Mehrauli, which is present in the southern part of the city, this famous tourist location can be easily reached by cabs or auto rickshaws. The metro can be taken to the Yellow Line, which is a walkable distance from the spot. Plenty of buses are available along the route of this location, along with Hop on Hop off service offering buses. Cars can be driven past Sri Aurobindo Marg to reach Lado Sarai where this structure is located.

Interesting Facts and Trivia About the Qutub Minar

• The diameter of the structure measures about 47 feet near the ground level while it thins out to about 10 feet at the top.
• The structures within the premises have architectural styles which have imbibed Muslim, Hindu and Saracenic patterns in their design.
• The Minaret of Jam situated in Afghanistan is said to be an inspiration for the designing of the Qutub Minar.
• A very slight tilt of about 65 centimeters can be observed when viewing the whole tower.

Nearby Restaurants

• Bukhara
• Indian Accent
• Varq
• Wasabi
• Hauz Khas Social

Nearby Attractions

• Dilli Haat
• Hauz Khas Village
• Khan Market
• Lodi Garden
• Red Fort

The ultimate location to be visited by history buffs and travelers yearning to learn more about the history of the region is what the spot stands for. It perfectly inculcates a lot of history and beauty into a single location, which increases our perspective on the heritage and culture, while also making us stare in awe at the construction and designing of each of the building standing around in the premises.