Qutb Minar - History, Architecture & Facts

When you are in Delhi, and you wish to explore the combination of architecture and history. Qutb Minar is the perfect place to add to your list. The Qutb Minar is more than just a monument; it is a work of art that represents endurance, art, and history. The structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mehrauli area of South Delhi and it is a most popular historical site in the city.

Qutb Minar Quick Facts

Before going deep guys, here is a quick table with all the main facts about Qutb Minar. Most of these numbers I have taken from the official UNESCO World Heritage page.

Detail	Information
Location	Mehrauli, South Delhi
Started by	Qutb-ud-din Aibak, around 1199
Completed by	Shams-ud-din Iltutmish (top storeys later rebuilt by Firoz Shah Tughlaq)
Height	72.5 metres
Diameter	14.32 m at the base, 2.75 m at the top
Storeys	5
Steps inside	379
Material	Red and buff sandstone, with marble in the upper storeys
UNESCO World Heritage Site	Since 1993, as “Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi”
Managed by	Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
Nearest metro	Qutub Minar station (Yellow Line)

If you ask me, the most amazing number here is the height. 72.5 metres is like a 24 floor building, and it was made more then 800 years ago without any modern machine.

Architecture in Sandstone: The Tower That Whispered to the Clouds

The architecture of the Qutb Minar in Mehrauli, Delhi, is a structure of brick with a height of 72.5 meters. It is considered as the tallest brick minaret in the world. The tower’s graceful tapering shape narrows to just 2.7 meters at its highest point from a base diameter of 14.3 meters. Inside, a 379-step spiral staircase leads to the top. Just over 65 cm, the minaret leans slightly, but it is still safely standing construction. The historic Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is located at its foot, and the tower itself has inscriptions from several ages in Persian, Arabic, and Nagari that tell a fascinating story. Sikandar Lodi and Firuz Shah Tughlaq rulers renovated and restored the minaret. This structure is not just a monument but it is an architectural wonder throughout India. Let’s get the detailed architecture of the Qutb Minar.

One small thing I want to add here guys. As per UNESCO, the outside of the minar is built of red and buff sandstone, and it is the tallest masonry tower in India. Its body has angular and rounded flutings one after another, which you can easily see in the lower storeys.

From Base to Brilliance: Exploring Qutb Minar’s Rising Stories

Basement:

The basement of the Qutb Minar is supported by a solid circular foundation and the material used in construction is red and grey sandstone. The basement story, the lowest level, was finished under Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad’s Ghurid dynasty. Twelve semicircular and twelve flanged pillars, placed alternately, adorn this story in a magnificent manner. A twelve-pointed star that has been carved around the base gives the construction a unique creative touch.

The basement level is famous for the beautiful naskh-style Islamic calligraphy. In addition to the names and lofty titles of monarchs like Ghiyath al-Din and Mu’izz al-Din, it has six bands of Quranic inscriptions that include phrases from Sura II, Sura LIX, and Sura XLVIII. Muhammad of Ghor is also praised, underscoring the tower’s profound historical significance.

Second, third and fourth floor:

Sham ud-Din Iltutmish, who ruled the Delhi Sultanate after Qutb-ud-din Aibak, constructed the next three levels. The second and third stories are finished with semicircular and flanged pillars that alternate, and are crowned with ornate balconies that are held up by Muqarnas corbels. Originally intended in a similar style, the fourth storey was eventually reconstructed in white marble, which gave it a more subtle yet elegant aspect.

By the way guys, if you like this muqarnas work, then you will also love the entrance of Masjid-i Shaykh Lutfallah in Iran, which I have covered in another blog.

Fifth storey:

The fourth level of the Qutb Minar was damaged in 1369. The fourth story was expanded and divided into parts that repair work done by Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq. After that this floor splits into two parts. Due to this change and restoration bring another dimension to the tower’s remarkable history, it also slightly changed the tower’s original appearance.

As per Vajiram & Ravi, this damage was caused by a lightning strike, and Firuz Shah Tughlaq also added a cupola on top while repairing it.

Ruins, Rebirth, and Reverence: History Behind the Minar

On the ruins of Lal Kot, the old stronghold of Dhillika, the Qutb Minar is a stunning structure. Following Qutub-ud-Din Aibak’s construction of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in approximately 1199, the minaret’s construction was eventually finished by Shamsuddin Iltutmish. Inspired by their native Ghur, they created the minar as a magnificent representation of glory.

Some historians believe that the tower may honor Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, a revered Sufi saint, whom Iltutmish deeply admired. The Qutb Complex is made up of the Qutb Minar and a number of other significant structures. The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the earliest mosque constructed in Delhi, is notable among them. According to inscriptions at the site, it was constructed in 1199 and had a courtyard surrounded by cloisters constructed from the pillars of 27 destroyed Hindu and Jain temples.

The popular Iron Pillar, which was built in the fourth century AD, is also located in the mosque courtyard. The pillar exhibits very little rust even after centuries, and its Sanskrit inscription, which mentions King Chandra, is still a wonder.

Let me share some numbers about this pillar guys, because they are really surprising. As per Wikipedia, the Iron Pillar is 7.21 metres tall, around 1.12 metres of it is below the ground, and it has a 41 cm diameter. It weighs more than six tonnes, and the King Chandra in its inscription is generally identified as the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II. Honestly, I think it is one of the best proof of how advanced ancient Indian metal work was.

The adjoining building called “Smith’s Folly” has a fascinating backstory. During repair Major Robert Smith attempted to add a sixth level to the minaret by adding an additional dome during the 19th century. Because of its strange appearance, this cupola was taken down in 1848 on the orders of Governor-General Lord Hardinge, and today it stands on the ground east of the Minar, as per Daily Art Magazine.

Earthquakes destroyed the structure in 1505 and 1803, but British officials like Major Smith and kings like Sikander Lodi repaired it. One of India’s revered landmarks, the Qutb Minar was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993 in recognition of its cultural and historical significance.

The Ghurids – From Nomads to Monument Builders:

The Ghurids were a people originally from the Afghan mountains who created the Qutb Minar. They became known as the Shansabanis and were once nomads, eventually settled down, united their tribes, and converted to Islam.

The Ghurids acquired Delhi and other areas of northern India and Pakistan by the late 1100s. Following his takeover of Delhi in 1193, Qutb al-Din Aibak, a Ghurid chieftain, started construction on the Qutb Minar.

The tower was initially believed to be constructed to promote Islam, but historians now think it was also intended to combine Islamic and ancient Indian customs. The Qutb Minar serves as a representation of the Ghurids’ effort to combine traditions rather than impose them.

Other Monuments Inside the Qutb Complex

Many people come only for the minar and miss the other monuments around it. Trust me guys, the full complex is worth at least two hours. Here is a simple table of the main structures, based on the UNESCO description.

Monument	Built By / Period	What is Special
Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque	Qutb-ud-din Aibak, 1190s	Oldest mosque in northern India
Iron Pillar	Gupta period, linked to Chandragupta II	7.21 m tall, over 6 tonnes, almost no rust
Tomb of Iltutmish	13th century	Started the tradition of royal tombs in India
Alai Darwaza	Alauddin Khalji, 1311	Called the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art by UNESCO
Alai Minar	Alauddin Khalji (left unfinished)	Planned to be twice the size of Qutb Minar, only the 25 m first storey was built
Madrasa of Alauddin Khalji	Alauddin Khalji	A place of learning added to the complex
Smith’s Folly	Major Robert Smith, 19th century	The extra cupola taken down from the minar in 1848

I personally like the Alai Minar the most. Just imagine, if it was completed, Delhi would have a tower almost double of Qutb Minar.

Why Can’t You Climb Qutb Minar Now?

This is a question which almost everyone asks me. Earlier, visitors were allowed to climb the 379 steps inside the minar. But on 4 December 1981, there was a power failure inside the tower and the narrow staircase went dark. In the stampede that followed, 45 people died, and most of them were school children, as per a Lok Sabha answer and a UPI report from that time.

After this tragedy, the inside of the minar was closed for the public. In 2006, the Government told the Lok Sabha that it is not advisable to open it again because of the large crowd and very narrow staircase. So today you can only see it from outside, but honestly the view from below is also amazing.

Qutb Minar Timings and Ticket Price (2026)

Now let me tell you the practical things guys, which you need before going. The complex is open on all days of the week and it opens at 7 am. Most travel guides like Jaypee Hotels list the closing time as 5 pm, but some guides also mention evening entry for the night view. Timings can change, so I will suggest you to check the ASI website once before going.

Visitor Type	Entry Fee
Indians (and SAARC / BIMSTEC visitors)	₹35 online, around ₹40 at the counter
Foreign tourists	₹550 online, around ₹600 at the counter
Children below 15 years	Free

Source: Jaypee Hotels and Trivenicabs. My tip is to buy the ticket online, it is cheaper and you can skip the line.

How to Reach Qutb Minar

By Metro: The nearest metro station is Qutub Minar on the Yellow Line. From there the monument is around 1 km, so you can walk or take an e-rickshaw.
By Road: Qutb Minar is in Mehrauli, South Delhi, so you can easily reach by cab, auto or DTC bus from any part of the city.
By Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is not very far from Mehrauli, so it is a good place to visit on your first or last day in Delhi.

Places to Visit Near Qutb Minar

If you have some extra time, then you can also cover these places in South Delhi:

Mehrauli Archaeological Park: It is right next to the Qutb complex and it has many old tombs and ruins, as per UNESCO.
Garden of Five Senses: A beautiful garden which is very close to Mehrauli, perfect for an evening walk.
Chhatarpur Temple: One of the biggest temple complexes of Delhi, also in the same area.
Sunder Nursery: If you love Mughal monuments, then this heritage park next to Humayun’s Tomb is a must.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the height of Qutb Minar?

Qutb Minar is 72.5 metres tall, with a 14.32 m wide base and a 2.75 m wide top.

2. Who built Qutb Minar?

Qutb-ud-din Aibak started it around 1199 and Iltutmish completed it. Later Firuz Shah Tughlaq rebuilt the top storeys after lightning damage.

3. Can we go inside or climb Qutb Minar?

No. The inside of the minar is closed for the public since the stampede of 4 December 1981.

4. What is the entry fee of Qutb Minar?

It is ₹35 online (around ₹40 at the counter) for Indians, ₹550 online (around ₹600 at the counter) for foreigners, and free for children below 15.

5. When did Qutb Minar become a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Qutb Minar and its Monuments were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.

Reflections on Qutub Minar – Where Soul and Stone Meet

In my view The Qutb Minar, is a living example of India’s history rather than only a monument. A combination of civilizations, dynasties, and time-tested craftsmanship can be seen in each brick, pillar, and inscription. The tower’s development over the centuries, with each monarch adding their own touches without destroying the previous ones, particularly attracted me. You may appreciate its ageless beauty while feeling the weight of history when you stand beneath it. Because of its size, age, and the stories it contains, I truly think Qutb Minar should be at the top of your list if you ever visit Delhi.

So guys, I hope this updated guide with facts, timings and ticket price helps you plan your visit. Keep visiting The Indian Architecture for more such blogs.

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Sources

Last Updated: October 20, 2026

Qutb Minar – History, Architecture & Facts | Iconic Delhi Monument