Qutb Minar complex

Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
UNESCO World Heritage Site
	Qutub Minar
Location	Mehrauli,India
Criteria	Cultural: v
Reference	233
Inscription	1993 (17thSession)
Coordinates	28°31′28″N77°11′08″E/ 28.524382°N 77.185430°E
	Location of Qutb Minar complex in Delhi Qutb Minar complex (India)

TheQutb Minar complexare monuments and buildings from theDelhi SultanateatMehrauliinDelhi,India.^[1]Construction of theQutub Minar"victory tower" in the complex, named after the religious figure Sufi Saint KhwajaQutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki,was begun byQutb-ud-din Aibak,who later became the firstSultan of Delhiof theMamluk dynasty (Gulam Vansh).It was continued by his successorIltutmish(a.k.a.Altamash), and finally completed much later byFiroz Shah Tughlaq,aSultan of Delhifrom theTughlaq dynasty (1320–1412)in 1368 AD. The Qubbat-ul-Islam Mosque (Dome of Islam), later corrupted into Quwwat-ul Islam,^[2]stands next to the Qutb Minar.^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

Many subsequent rulers, including theTughlaqs,Alauddin Khaljiand theBritishadded structures to the complex.^[7]Apart from theQutb Minarand the Quwwat ul-Islam Mosque, other structures in the complex include theAlai Darwazagate, the Alai Minar and theIron pillar. Inside the complex lie the tombs ofIltutmish,Alauddin Khaljiand Imam Zamin.^[4]

Today, the adjoining area spread over with a host of old monuments, includingBalban's tomb,has been developed by theArchaeological Survey of India(ASI) as theMehrauli Archaeological Park,andINTACHhas restored some 40 monuments in the Park.^[8]It is also the venue of the annual 'Qutub Festival', held in November–December, where artists, musicians and dancers perform over three days.^[9]

Alai Darwaza

Close up of the inscriptions on entrance arch, Alai Darwaza built byAlauddin Khalji

The Alai Darwaza is a main gateway from southern side of the qutub.^[10]It was built by the secondKhalji Sultan of Delhi,Ala-ud-din Khaljiin 1311 AD, who also added a court to the pillared to the eastern side. Thedomedgateway is decorated with redstoneand inlaid white marble decorations, inscriptions inNaskh script,latticed stone screens and showcases the remarkable craftsmanship of the Turkish artisans who worked on it. This is the first building in India to employIslamic architectureprinciples in its construction and ornamentation.^[4]

TheSlave dynastydid not employ trueIslamic architecturestyles and usedfalse domesand false arches. This makes the Alai Darwaza, the earliest example of first true arches and true domes in India.^[11]It is considered to be one of the most important buildings built in theDelhi sultanateperiod. With its pointed arches and spearhead of fringes, identified as lotus buds, it adds grace to the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque to which it served as an entrance.

Qutb Minar

Qutb Minar and Alai Darwaza (Alai Gate), the entrance to the Quwwat-Ul-Islam Mosque

TheQutb Minaris inspired by theMinaret of Jamin Afghanistan, it is an important example of earlyAfghanarchitecture, which later evolved intoIndo-Islamic Architecture.The Qutb Minar is 72.5 metres (239 ft) high, making it the tallest minaret in the world built of bricks.^[12]It has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony carried onmuqarnas corbeland tapers from a diameter 14.3 metres at the base to 2.7 metres at the top, which is 379 steps away. It is listed as aUNESCO World Heritage Sitealong with surrounding buildings and monuments.^[13]

Built as a Victory Tower, to celebrate the victory ofMuhammad Ghoriover theRajputking,Prithviraj Chauhan,in 1192 AD, by his then viceroy,Qutb-ud-din Aibak,later the first Sultan ofMamluk dynasty.Its construction also marked the beginning ofMuslim rule in India.It was built using red sandstone and marble.^[14]Inscriptions record that 27 Hindu and Jain temples were torn down and used for its creation.^[15]Even today the Qutb remains one of the most important "Towers of Victory" in the Islamic world. Aibak however, could only build the first storey, for this reason the lower storey is replete with eulogies toMuhammad Ghori.^[16]The next three floors were added by his son-in-law and successor,Iltutmish.The minar was first struck by lightning in 1368 AD, which knocked off its top storey, after that it was replaced by the existing two floors byFiroz Shah Tughlaq,a laterSultan of Delhifrom 1351 to 1388, and faced with white marble and sandstone enhancing the distinctivevariegatedlook of the minar, as seen in lower three storeys. Thus the structure displays a marked variation in architectural styles fromAibakto that ofTughlaq dynasty.^[17]The inside has intricate carvings of the verses from the Quran.

Theminarmade with numerous superimposedflangedand cylindrical shafts in the interior, andfluted columnson the exterior, which have a 40 cm thickveneerof red and buff coloured sandstone; all surrounded by bands of intricate carving inKuficstyle ofIslamic calligraphy,giving the minar the appearance of bundled reeds.^[18]It stands just outside the Quwwatul mosque, and an Arabic inscription suggests that it might have been built to serve as a place for themuezzin,to call the faithfuls fornamaz.^[19]^[20]Also marking a progression in era, is the appearance of inscriptions in a bold and cursiveThuluthscript of calligraphy on the Qutb Minar, distinguished by strokes that thicken on the top, as compared to Kufic in earlier part of the construction.^[21]

Inscriptions also indicate further repairs by SultanSikander Lodiin 1503, when it was struck by lightning once again. In 1802, thecupolaon the top was thrown down and the whole pillar was damaged by an earthquake. It was repaired by Major R. Smith of theRoyal Engineerswho restored the Qutub Minar in 1823 replacing thecupolawith a Bengali-stylechhatriwhich was later removed byGovernor General,Lord Hardingein 1848, as it looked out of place, and now stands in the outer lawns of the complex, popularly known as Smith'sFolly.^[3]^[19]^[22]^[23]

After an accident involving school children, entry to the Qutub Minar is closed to public since 1981, while Qutub archaeological area remains open for public.^[24]In 2004, Seismic monitors were installed on the minar, which revealed in 2005 Delhi earthquake, no damage or substantial record of shakes. The reason for this has been cited as the use oflime mortarandrubble masonrywhich absorbs the tremors; it is also built on rocky soil, which further protects it during earthquakes.^[22]

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

Quwwat-ul-Islam (or Might of Islam) mosque started in 1193 CE by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak to mark his victory over the Rajputs

The Quwwat-ul-Islam (Arabic:قوة الإسلام,lit. 'Might of Islam') mosque, also known as theQutub Mosqueor theGreat Mosque of Delhi,was commissioned byQutb-ud-din Aibak,founder of theMamlukorSlave dynastyand built usingspoliafrom 27 temples.^[25]It was built near the site of a pre-demolished large temple located in the centre of a citadel.^[26]

'The conqueror entered the city and its vicinity was freed from idols and idol-worship; and in the sanctuaries of the images of the gods, mosques were raised by the worshippers of the one God.'
— Quṭb al-Dīn Aibak's chronicler, Hasan Nizami, Taj-ul-Maasir^[27]

It was the first mosque built in Delhi after the Islamic conquest of India and the oldest surviving example ofGhuridsarchitecture inIndian subcontinent.^[28]The construction of thisJami Masjid(congregational mosque), started in the year 1193 AD, when Aibak was the commander ofMuhammad Ghori'sgarrisonthat occupied Delhi. To leave the imprint of his religion to the new territory, Aibak decided to erect a mosque epitomising the might of Islam and chose his site, the heart of the captured Rajput citadel ofQila Rai Pithora.^[27]TheQutub Minarwas built simultaneously with the mosque but appears to be a stand-alone structure, built as the 'Minarof Jami Masjid', for themuezzinto performadhan,call for prayer, and also as aqutub,an Axis or Pole ofIslam.^[29]It is reminiscent in style and design of theAdhai-din-ka Jhonpraor Ajmer mosque atAjmer,Rajasthan, also built by Aibak during the same time, also constructed by demolishing earlier temples and a Sanskrit school, at the site.^[30]

Intricate stone carvings on thecloistercolumns at Quwwat ul-Islam Mosque, Qutb complex, Delhi – Hindu pillars sporting Hindu iconography^[27]

Of the site selected by Aibak for the construction of a mosque,Ibn Battuta,the 14th century Arab traveller, says, before the taking of Delhi it had been aHindu temple,which the Hindus calledelbut-khana,but after that event it was used as a mosque'.^[27]Archaeological Survey of Indiastates that the mosque was raised over the remains of a temple and, in addition, it was also constructed from materials taken from other demolished temples, a fact recorded on the main eastern entrance.^[27]According to aPersianinscription still on the inner eastern gateway, the mosque was built by the parts taken by destruction of twenty-sevenHindu temples^[4]^[27]^[5]^[6]built previouslyduring the reigns of theTomarasandPrithviraj Chauhan,and leaving certain parts of the temple outside the mosque proper.^[31]Historical records compiled by Muslim historian Maulana Hakim Saiyid Abdul Hai attest to the iconoclasm of Qutb-ud-din Aibak. This pattern of iconoclasm was common during his reign.^[32]Some medieval Muslim historians and travellers often ascribed the construction of the complex toMamlukSultanIltutmish,rather than to Qutb ud-Din Aibak as is commonly accepted.^[33]Ibn Batuta also states that near the eastern gate of the mosque were two very big idols of copper connected together by stones. Every one who left the mosque treaded over them.^[34]

The mosque is one of the earliest extant mosques in India. The original dimensions of the mosque had a courtyard measuring 43 m (141 ft) by 33 m (108 ft). The prayer hall, located on the west measures 45 m (148 ft) by 12 m (39 ft). The mosque has grey colonnades made of greystone with three bays in east and two bays deep on the north and the south. Extensions were made to the mosque during 1296 when its dimensions in north and south were extended by 35 m (115 ft). The famous iron pillar is located on the stone pavement in front of it, whileQutub Minaris located west of the main entrance. The central arch of the mosque is ogee in shape and is 6.5 m (21 ft) wide and 16 m (52 ft) tall. The side arches are smaller in size. The screen is sculpted with religious texts and floral patterns. Desai believes that the mosque was not constructed in scientific style but in Corbel style as indicated by the variations in the pattern of the arches.^[35]

The mosque is built on a raised and paved courtyard, measuring 141 ft (43 m) × 105 ft (32 m), surrounded by pillaredcloistersadded by Iltutmish between 1210 and 1220 AD. The stone screen between prayer hall and the courtyard, stood 16 mt at its highest was added in 1196 AD, the corbelled arches had Arabic inscriptions and motifs.^[3]Entrances to the courtyard, also uses ornatemandapdome from temples, whose pillars are used extensively throughout the edifice, and in the sanctuary beyond the tall arched screens. What survives today of the sanctuary on the western side are the arched screens in between, which once led to a series of aisles with low-domed ceilings for worshippers.^[28]Expansion of the mosque continued after the death of Qutb. Qutbuddin's successorIltutmish,extended the original prayer hall screen by three more arches. By the time of Iltutmish, the Mamluk empire had stabilised enough that the Sultan could replace most of his conscripted Hindu masons with Muslims. This explains why the arches added under Iltutmish are stylistically more Islamic than the ones erected under Qutb's rule, also because the material used was not from demolished temples. Some additions to the mosque were also done byAlauddin Khalji,including the Alai Darwaza, the formal entrance to the mosque in red sandstone and white marble, and a court to the east of the mosque in 1300 AD.^{[citation needed]}

The mosque is in ruins today but indigenouscorbelled arches,floralmotifs,and geometric patterns can be seen among the Islamic architectural structures.^[36]To the west of the Quwwat ul-Islam mosque is the tomb ofIltutmishwhich was built by the monarch in 1235.

Iron pillar

TheIron pillarin the Qutb Complex

The iron pillar is one of the world's foremost metallurgical curiosities. The pillar, 7.21-metre high and weighing more than six tonnes, was originally erected byChandragupta IIVikramaditya (375–414 AD) in front of a Vishnu Temple complex atUdayagiriaround 402 AD, and later shifted byAnangpalin the 10th century CE from Udaygiri to its present location.Anangpalbuilt a Vishnu Temple here and wanted this pillar to be a part of that temple.

The estimated weight of the decorative bell of the pillar is 646 kg while the main body weighs 5,865 kg, thus making the entire pillar weigh 6,511 kg.^[37]The pillar bears an inscription inSanskritinBrahmi scriptdating 4th century AD, which indicates that the pillar was set up as aVishnudhvaja,standard of god, on the hill known as Vishnupada in memory of a mighty king named Chandra, believed to Chandragupta II. A deep socket on the top of this ornate capital suggests that probably an image ofGarudawas fixed into it, as common in such flagpoles.^[38]

Tombs

Tomb of Iltutmish

Tomb of Shams al-Din Iltutmish

The tomb of theDelhi Sultanateruler,Iltutmish,a secondSultan of Delhi(r. 1211–1236 AD), built 1235 CE, is also part of theQutb MinarComplex in Mehrauli, New Delhi. The central chamber is a 9 mt. sq. and hassquinches,suggesting the existence of a dome, which has since collapsed. The main cenotaph, in white marble, is placed on a raised platform in the centre of the chamber. The facade is known for its ornate carving, both at the entrance and the interior walls. The interior west wall has a prayer niche (mihrab) decorated with marble, and a rich amalgamation of Hindu motifs into Islamic architecture, such as bell-and-chain, tassel, lotus, diamond emblems.^[3]

In 1914, during excavations by Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI)Gordon Sanderson,the grave chamber was discovered. From the north of the tomb 20 steps lead down to the actual burial vault.

Tomb of Imam Zamin

The Tomb of Imam Zamin is a 16th-century tomb located in the Qutb Minar complex, Mehrauli, Delhi in India. It houses the tomb of Mohammad Ali (popularly known as Imam Zamin), an Islamic cleric who migrated from Turkestan to India during the reign of Sikandar Lodi. The tomb was built by Ali himself during the reign of Mughal emperor Humayun. This tomb has no relation with the other monuments of the complex.

Ala-ud-din Khilji's tomb and madrasa

Alauddin Khalji'sMadrasa,which also has his tomb to the south, ca 1316 AD

At the back of the complex, southwest of the mosque, stands an L-shaped construction, consisting ofAlauddin Khilji's tomb dating ca 1316 AD, and amadrasa,anIslamic seminarybuilt by him. Khalji was the secondSultan of DelhifromKhalji dynasty,who ruled from 1296 to 1316 AD.^[39]

The central room of the building, which has his tomb, has now lost its dome, though many rooms of the seminary or college are intact, and since been restored. There were two small chambers connected to the tomb by passages on either side. Fergusson in his book suggested the existence, to the west of the tomb, of seven rooms, two of which had domes and windows. The remains of the tomb building suggest that there was an open courtyard on the south and west sides of the tomb building, and that one room in the north served as an entrance.

It was the first example in India, of a tomb standing alongside amadrasa.^[3]Nearby stands the Alai Minar, an ambitious tower, he started constructing to rival theQutb Minar,though he died when only its first storey was built and its construction abandoned thereafter. It now stands, north of the mosque.

The tomb is in a very dilapidated condition. It is believed that Ala-ud-din's body was brought to the complex from Siri and buried in front of the mosque, which formed part of the madrasa adjoining the tomb.Firoz Shah Tughluq,who undertook repairs of the tomb complex, mentioned a mosque within the madrasa.^[40]

Alai Minar

Alauddin Khalji started building theAlai Minar,after he had doubled the size of Quwwat ul-Islam mosque built before 1300AD. He conceived this tower to be two times higher thanQutb Minarin proportion with the enlarged mosque.^[41]The construction was however abandoned, just after the completion of the 25-metre-high (82 ft) first-story core; soon after the death of Alauddin in 1316, and never taken up by his successors ofKhalji Dynasty.The first storey of the Alai Minar, a giantrubble masonrycore, still stands today, which was evidently intended to be covered with dressed stone later on. Noted Sufi poet and saint of his times,Amir Khusroin his work,Tarikh-i-Alai,mentions Ala-ud-din's intentions to extend the mosque and also constructing another minar.^[42]

Other monuments

A short distance west of the enclosure, in Mehrauli village, is theTombofAdham Khanwho, according to legend drove the beautiful Hindu singerRoopmatito suicide following the capture ofManduin Madhya Pradesh. WhenMughal Emperor Jalaluddin Akbarbecame displeased with him due to allegations of corruption and political disagreements, Akbar personally struck him down and had him twice heaved off a terrace in theAgra Fortto ensure his death. Several archaeological monuments dot the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, including theBalban's tomb,Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb.

There are some Mughal summer palaces in the area: theZafar Mahal,theJahaz Mahalnext to Hauz-i-Shamsi lake, and the tombs of the laterMughal emperorsofIndia,inside a royal enclosure near thedargahshrine of Sufi saint,Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki.Here an empty space between two of the tombs,sargah,was intended for the lastMughal emperorof India,Bahadur Shah Zafarwho died in exile in Rangoon, Burma, in 1862, following his implication in theIndian Rebellion of 1857.Also standing nearby is theMoti Masjidmosque in white marble.

Gallery

Qutb Minar
Remains of Hindu temple ruins in Qutb Minar
A map of the Qutb complex (click to see large)
Ruins near Qutb Minar
Translation of iron pillar inscription
Tomb of Iltutmish
Tomb of Iltutmish
Ruins of Hindu temple in Qutb Minar
Interior of Tomb of Iltutmish
Tomb of Imam Zamin, Qutb Minar Complex
Statues from the destroyed Hindu temples
View of Qutb Minar
Ganesha idol in Qutb Minar
Upper stories of Qutb Minar, in white marble and sandstone
Another view of Qutb Minar, with a Hindu temple reused pillar in view
Interior of Alai Darwaza, resembling Timber ornamentation, Qutb complex
Tomb ofAlauddin Khalji,Qutb Minar complex
An idol of cow with her calf while another layer has defaced idol ofKrishna
Dome interior
The Qutb Minar, looking up from its foot
Quranverses written on the exteriors of the Qutb Minar
Architectures of Qutb Complex
Ancient ruins of Hindu temple, with figure of a female dancer inside the Quwwat-ul Islam mosque
Alai Darwaza Arch Carvings
Plaque at the entrance providing visitors a background of Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid
Qutb Minar path view