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Qutb Minar and its Monuments –  UNESCO World Heritage Site

The site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993.

The Qutb Minar Complex – A UNESCO World Heritage Site – is an array of monuments and buildings at Mehrauli in Delhi, India. The best-known structure in the complex is the Qutb Minar, which dominates the complex. The other very important strcture is the Quwwat-ul Islam mosque, the earliest extant mosque in India, which stands next to the Qutb Minar. Apart from the Qutb Minar and the Quwwat ul-Islam Mosque, other structures in the complex include the Alai Gate, the Alai Minar, the Iron pillar, and the tombs of Iltutmish, Alauddin Khilji and Imam Zamin.

The Qutb Complex was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993 – a site so important that it needs to be preserved and protected for future generations!

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THE QUTB COMPLEX – A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Below is a photo gallery of important structures in the Qutb Complex, including
Qutb Minar,
Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque,
Alai Darwaza,
Alai Minar,
The Iron pillar, and,
Tombs of Iltutmish, Alauddin Khilji and Imam Zamin..
along with a description about it.

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ALAI DARWAZA

The Alai Darwaza is the southern gateway to the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. It was the main gateway to the ambitious extension of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque undertaken by Alauddin Khilji in 1311 AD. Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque was originally built by Qutubuddin Aibak [1192-1210]. It was extended in the north and south by Iltutmish [1211-38], and was further extended by Ala-ud-din Khalji, not only in the north and south, but also on the east, with a cloister and four gateways like that of Alai Darwaza. All these gateways, except the Alai Darwaza, has fallen down.

Alai Darwaza is described as one of the most treasured gems of Islamic architecture. It is a magnificent square domed building with intricate carving in red sandstone and marble. It is the first building employing wholly Islamic principles of arcuate construction and geometric ornamentation. It also betrays certain Saljuqian features, in the form of buldging dome with pointed horse-shoes shaped arches, and squinches, and “lotus-bud” embellishment on the underside of the arches. Its fine proportions, profuse carving on the inside, inscription bands of white marble in bold Naskh characters and other decorative details in red stone, makes it a unique structure. The geometric decoration in the inside is reminiscent of delicate timber ornamentation.

The Slave dynasty did not employ true Islamic architecture styles and used false domes and false arches. This makes the Alai Darwaza, the earliest example of first true arches and true domes in India. It is considered to be one of the most important buildings built in the Delhi sultanate period.

 

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TOMB of IMAM ZAMIN

East of Alain Darwaza stands the tomb of Imam Zamin. A native of Turkstan, Zamin came to India during the reign of Sikandar Lodi [1488-1517] and probably discharged important duites in the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque.The striking tomb is typical of Lodi period with sandstone pier filled with lattice screen. The square chamber is surmounted by a dome of sandstone covered with plaster, rising from an octagonal base.

 

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QUTB MINAR

Qutb Minar – the tallest stone tower in india – was conceived by Qutbuddin-Aibak [1150-1210] as a “Tower of Victory” attached to Quwwat-il-Islam mosque. It is said that the Qutub Minar was built as a Maznah [a tower adjoining a mosque, from where muezzin calls the failthful to prayer]. But it is too tall to have served the purpose. So it is simply a victory tower proclaiming the triumph of Mohammad Ghori over Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192 AD. Begun by his then viceroy, Qutbuddin Aibak -later the first Slave Sultan [1192-1210] – who lived to see the completion of the base and the first storey. It appears to have been named after Bukhtiyar Kaki – a local saint popularly known as Qutb Sahib. The first story is tallest of all, depicting a rich amalgamation of Indian and Islamic aesthetics with intricate floral patterns, undulating lines and even bells at some places, blending with verses of Quaran.

Following Aibek’s death, Iltutmish [1210-35] took over and added the second, third and fourth storey over the first floor of the minar. When it was damaged by lighting in 1326 and 1368, the fourth storey was dismantled and reconstructed by Firoz Tughlaq [1309-88], with an additional storey. Later on Sikandar Lodi [1489-1517] also carried out stone restoration in upper stories.

With the height of 238 feet and 379 steps although it is the highest stone tower in india, it is 5 feet less than the Taj Mahal, which stands at 243 ft.

The lowest storey with alternate angular and circular flutings, the second with round ones, and the third with angular ones – keeping throughout the same alignment, gives a pleasing vertical look to the Minar. The projecting balconies with beautiful stalactite pendatives and its tiny alcove further heightens its pleasing effect. The decorative inscription bands defines each storey with its undulating curves. It has a diametre of 46 feet at based and 9 feet at the top.

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QUWWAT-UL-ISLAM MOSQUE

Jami Masjid, later called Quwwatul-Islam [Might of Islam] mosque, was the first mosque built in Delhi, after Islamic conquests at the end of the 12th century. It is the earliest extant mosque in India.  It was erected by Qutbuddin Aibak. It consists of a rectangular courtyard – 43 m x 32 m – enclosed by cloisters with the carved columns and other architectural members of the twenty-seven Hindu and Jain temples that were demolished deliberately as an act of war, to establish the power of Ghurid Turk rule in Delhi. Massive stone screen of lofty five arches were put up in front of the prayer hall, which imparted an islamic character to the building. The screen is beautifully carved with borders of inscription and geometric and Arabesque designs,, but the hands of craftsmen used to Hindu motifs is clear in naturalistic curved lines.

After Aibak’s death, the mosque was extended by Iltutmish in 1230. Extension of the western screen wall from either side resulted in a space almost double the size of the original mosque. These extensions reveal an apparent maturity in both design and detailing, being stylistically more geometric than the ones erected during Aibak’s rule. Further additions by Alauddin Khalji [1296–1316] in the later part of his reign led to a substantial expansion of the mosque and other distinct structures within the entire complex.

 

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1,600 YEARS OLD – IRON PILLAR – that WONT RUST!

Standing at the center of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is the Iron Pillar – a marvel of architecture and traditional knowledge. This 23 feet, 6 tons pillar was built in 402 CE, which makes it more than 1,600 years old.. and it has resisted corrosion! It is a testament to the complex metallurgical skills of ancient Indian blacksmiths. Its brilliance has never ceased to amaze archaeologists, metallurgists, academicians, and tourists. The pillar is said to have resisted corrosion because of its pure composition of iron, a high presence of phosphorous, and the method of casting.

It is believed that the pillar was originally located elsewhere, as the inscription on it says that it was placed on a hill called Vishnupada.  The pillar is considered to be a tribute to Lord Vishnu, the patron deity of the Gupta kings. It is believed that the wonderfully crafted capital was once crowned by a figure of Garuda (Vishnu’s carrier). It was created in what now is Udainagari. The pillar was bought to the current location in 1233 CE. The fence was made in 1997.

 

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ALAUDDIN KHALJI’S TOMB AND MADRASA

The tomb and madrasa was constructed in 1316, to honor the greatness of Alauddin Khalji, by the sultan’s loyal nobles, after his death. A learning center in conjunction with a tomb appears here for the first time, perhaps inspired by West-Asian traditions. The tomb is flanked on either side by chambers, seemingly smaller in scale, where perhaps rest the graves of Alauddin’s family.

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ILTUTMISH’S TOMB

This self-built tomb of the second ruler of the Slave Dynasty,  Shamsuddin Iltutmish, built in AD 1235 sits along the north-west corner of the Qutb Complex, next to Iltutmish’s own extensions of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Interestingly, one of the first tombs to be built in the city, it fulfill Iltutmish’s desire to be placed where he ruled, and secondly to be close to the dargah [shrine] in Mehrauli. The tomb is a 9 m square in plan. Its sheer austerity on the exterior, is a striking contrast to the heavily decorated interior. The structure demonstrates the presence of a dome originally which collapsed twice perhaps because of the comparatively thinner walls  that might not have been able to support the outward thrust generated by a dome. The intricately carved double-arched mihrab (prayer niche in wall), in white marble, includes different scripts and a rich amalgamation of Hindu art into Islamic architecture.

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ALAI MINAR

This incomplete minaret that lies within the northern boundaries of the Qutb Complex was started by Alauddin Khalji to commemorate his victory in the Deccan campaigns. The tower was intended to be twice the height of the Qutb Minar and was placed right opposite it. The incomplete minaret stands in undulating rubble masonry with just a single storey that ceased to be constructed further after the sultan’s death in AD 1316.

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Published by Jyoti Srivastava
Image copyright © Jyoti Srivastava

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