Aficionado, Arriviste, atmosphere junkie - you may be all, any or none, but if you are in Delhi, there's no way that you can skip a visit to the great legend in stone, the Qutab Minar - an indelible stamp on Delhi.

The Qutab Minar is an arresting monument built by the founder of the Slave Dynasty, Qutab-ud-din Aibak. This magnificent tower of victory stands in the Qutab Complex located at Aurabindo Marg, near Mehrauli, 14 Km south of Connaught place in Delhi. This 239 ft sandstone tower is an Indo - Islamic architectural wonder of ancient India. It is adorned with intricate carvings and verses of Quran. The projected balconies of the tower are supported by stalactite designs. The bands of Calligraphic inscriptions are amazing in perfection. It is considered as one of tallest brick minarets of the world, and has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the year 1993.

A New Style Launch
Qutab Minar is regarded as a trend setter in the field of architecture. The monument indicated the beginning of a new style of art and architecture that got to be known as Indo - Islamic style. This style is neither a local variant of Islamic art nor a modification of Hindu art, in fact it is a blend of both the styles. It is so because each region in India has its own form of Indo-Islamic architecture, which varies from place to place, and there is no standardization.
Monuments within the Qutab Complex
There are a number of monuments in the Qutab complex apart from the Qutab Minar:

Quuwat-ul-Islam Mosque - This was the first mosque to be built in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Slave Dynasty used parts of 27 Jain and Hindu temples to construct this mosque. One can witness a blend of both Indian and Islamic architecture. The corbelled arches and floral motifs can be relished.

Tomb Of Iltutmish - It was built in the year 1235. The lace like tracery of Quranic injunctions on all sides takes the breath away. The dome which ones used to cover the tomb has collapsed long time back. The dome was a feature of Islamic architecture being introduced to India for the very first time.

Alai Darwaza- This monument was built by Allauddin Khilji. It was built as the southern gate of the huge extension of Aibak's mosque. One should surely check the geometric Islamic calligraphy that decorates its red sandstone surface.

Tomb Of Imam Zamim - There has been an increased use of marble in this tomb. The red stone jaalis are carved in it intricately. The dome rises gracefully above the tomb.

The De Facto
Location - Delhi
Built In - 1193
Elevation - 73 metres
Best Time To Visit - October to March
Timings - Sunrise to Sunset
Entrance Tariff - US $ 5 for foreigners and Rs. 10 for Indians.

Access
The Qutab Minar is easily accessible from all parts of Delhi. This monument is located at Mehrauli in the southern part of the city. Tourists can take local buses from various points within the city or, alternatively, they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis. There are regular bus services from the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Kashmere Gate and Connaught Place to Mehrauli. Local guided tours, conducted by Delhi Tourism and private operators, cover this important monument.
Did You Know?

• The storeys of the Minar alternate from angular sections to different styles of rounded flutings and projecting balconies.
  Visitors are not permitted to enter or climb up the Qutab Minar.
• According to John Keay's "History of India," 27 previous Hindu and Jain temples were destroyed and their materials reused to construct the Minar.
• Because of the earthquakes, the Minar is not perpendicular and leans 60 cm off the vertical. It is also monitored by the engineers of the Archaeological Survey of India.
• A theory also exists that Prithvi Raj Chauhan built the tower so that his daughter can see the sacred Yamuna River from the top of the tower during her daily worship. But many does not support this thought.
• A light show is organised every evening for the entertainment of the tourists