The Qutb Minar is a mammoth tower that was built between 1193
and 1369 to symbolise Islamic rule over Delhi and commemorate the
victory by Qutab-ud-din over the city's last Hindu kingdom. But some
people believe it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the
faithful to prayer. No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not
only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world.
Standing 238ft (72m) tall, the tower is decorated with calligraphy
representing verses from the Koran and tapers from a 50ft (15m)
diameter at the base to just 8ft (2.5m) at the top. There are five
distinct stories each encircled with a balcony, the first three are
built of red sandstone, and the upper two are faced with white marble.
At the foot of the minhar, stands Quwwat-ul-Islam, India's oldest
mosque, which is built largely from the remains of 27 Hindu and Jain
temples that were destroyed by the new Muslim rulers of India. The
cloisters that flank the nearby courtyard are supported by pillars
unmistakably pilfered from Hindu temples. Faces of the decorative
figures have been removed to conform to Islamic law, which strictly
forbids iconic worship.
