Monuments in Qutb Minar Complex

Delhi, India's capital, is renowned for its rich collection of monuments, boasting approximately 1300 in total. Among these, the Qutb Minar stands out as one of Delhi's most iconic structures. However, the Qutb Minar complex is home to various other historical gems. This article aims to explore these monuments, presenting them in chronological order from the oldest to the most recent.

Iron Pillar

Iron Pillar

The imposing Iron Pillar, standing at a height of 7.2 meters, graces the courtyard of the Quwwatul-Islam mosque within the Qutb Minar complex. Most historians deduce from inscriptions that this iron marvel was crafted during the reign of Gupta Emperor Chandragupta II Vikramaditya in the 4th century CE. Legend has it that Anangpal Tomar, the Delhi ruler, transported this pillar from Vishnupada and installed it in Delhi. Even as the Slave dynasty erected the Qutb Minar, converting temple areas into a mosque, the Iron Pillar retained its place in the mosque's courtyard.

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Qutb Minar

Qutb Minar stands proudly as the tallest stone tower in India, recognized as a UNESCO heritage site and celebrated as one of the most iconic monuments not just in Delhi but throughout the country. Various legends and perspectives surround the origins of this majestic minaret. However, the prevailing view, acknowledged by scholars and historians, attributes its initial construction to Qutbud-Din Aibak of the Slave dynasty.

Qutb Minar

Qutbud-Din managed to complete only the ground floor of the minaret, characterized by alternating circular and triangular grooves. His son-in-law, Shamsud-Din-Iltutmish, ascended to the throne of Delhi in 1211 CE and made substantial contributions to Qutb Minar. He added three additional floors to the tower. In 1326 CE, a lightning strike damaged Qutb Minar, prompting repairs by Muhammed Tughlaq. Subsequently, in 1368 CE, the structure faced further damage, leading to the complete destruction of the third floor. Firuz Tughlaq undertook repair works, replacing the third floor with two smaller floors.

Quwwatul-Islam Mosque

The Quwwatul-Islam Mosque, an integral part of the Qutb Minar complex, saw the cupola atop the minaret collapse during an earthquake in the early 19th century CE. Major Robert Smith, a British Army Engineer, actively engaged in restoring the Qutb Minar complex. After the complete restoration of the minaret in 1829 CE, he designed a vibrant red Bengali-style cupola and placed it on the top.

However, for the British Viceroy Lord Hardinge, the cupola did not align with aesthetic preferences and was deemed an eyesore. Consequently, he ordered its removal in 1848 CE.

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Mughal Mosque

Quwwatul-Islam Masjid

Quwwatul-Islam Masjid stands as one of the oldest surviving mosques in India. Its construction commenced under Qutbud-Din Aibak right after the capture of Delhi in 1192 CE and reached completion in 1198 CE. Subsequently, Iltutmish, the successor of Qutbud-Din, expanded the mosque in 1230 CE.

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Iltutmish's Tomb

Iltutmish's tomb stands to the north-west of Quwwatul-Islam mosque in the Qutb complex. Iltutmish himself undertook its construction in 1235 CE. This monument holds significance in the development phase of Indo-Islamic architecture. At that time, including the tomb of Iltutmish's son built a few years earlier, all tombs were constructed using materials from demolished Hindu temples or Jain shrines. In contrast, Iltutmish's tomb was built entirely from materials sourced from quarries, marking a pioneering effort in tomb construction without using materials from temples.

Imam Zamin's Tomb

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Alai Darwaza

Constructed in 1311 CE by Alauddin Khalji, the southern gateway of the Quwwatul-Islam mosque is known as Alai Darwaza. Khalji is believed to have brought artists from Turkey to build this impressive structure, which stands as a prestigious symbol not only for the mosque but also for the entire Qutb Minar complex.

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Alai Minar

Alaud-Din Khalji aspired to build a Minar twice the size of Qutb Minar. Initiating this ambitious project named Alai Minar in the late 13th or early 14th century CE, he managed to complete only one storey during his reign. Subsequent rulers may have lacked interest in finishing the monument. Today, Alai Minar remains an incomplete structure in a corner of the Qutb Minar complex, displaying rubble and debris.

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Alai Darwaza

Alauddin Khalji's Tomb and Madrasa

Alaud-Din Khalji's ambitions knew no bounds. He conquered vast parts of India, causing the death of millions, both innocent civilians and his soldiers. Unsatisfied with these conquests, he sought to expand the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, which he accomplished. Additionally, he aimed to construct a new Minar, double the size of Qutb Minar, but this endeavor remained incomplete. Furthermore, he envisioned building a madrasa (Islamic religious school) adjacent to the Quwwat mosque.

Presently, the madrasa is in a dilapidated condition and serves as the resting place for Alauddin Khalji's tomb. He was the first Indian ruler to adopt the tradition of constructing a tomb within a madrasa. While the domes of the madrasa remain intact, the overall complex is in a state of ruin.

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Imam Zamin's Tomb

Imam Zamin, originally named Muhammad Ali, emerged as a Muslim saint from the land of Turks and settled in Delhi during Sikandar Lodi's reign in the early 16th century CE. It appears that he played a crucial role in connection with the adjacent Quwwatul Islam Mosque and personally constructed his tomb near the mosque.

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Mughal Serai

Located near the Mughal Mosque at the eastern entrance gateway of Qutb Minar, Mughal Serai dates back to the later Mughal period (18th or 19th century CE).

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Mughal Mosque

This small and exquisite mosque features a prayer hall with three compartments, each topped with an onion-shaped dome. Its construction date and builder remain unknown. Architecturally assigned to the later Mughal period (18th or 19th century CE), the mosque is situated near the eastern entrance gateway of Qutb Minar.

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Smith's Cupola

Originally crowning Qutb Minar, the cupola fell during an earthquake in the early 19th century CE. Major Robert Smith, a British Army Engineer, actively participated in the restoration of the Qutb Minar complex. After completing the entire Qutb Minar minaret's restoration in 1829 CE, he designed a vibrant red-colored Bengali-style cupola, placing it atop the minaret. However, it was deemed unattractive by the British Viceroy Lord Hardinge, who brought it down in 1848 CE.

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Sanderson's Sundial

Gardon Sanderson, an archaeologist working for ASI during the British period, conducted numerous excavations in the Qutb complex and authored notable books on Delhi. Many of his works are still used as the reference materials by historians. He was killed in his 28th year in the World War I. Commemorating his memory, Sanderson's Sundial was built in Qutb Complex in 1919 CE, four years after his death. Crafted in white marble, the small instrument features a blade, and its shadow rotates to indicate the time based on the angle of sunlight.

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