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- Asia
- India
- Delhi
- Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar
The Qutub Minar is a mammoth tower that was built between 1193
and 1369 to symbolise Islamic rule over Delhi, and to commemorate
the victory by Qutab-ud-din over the city's last Hindu king.
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 storeys, 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, largely built from the remains of 27 Hindu and Jain
temples destroyed by the Muslim victors. The cloisters that flank
the nearby courtyard are supported by pillars that were
unmistakably pilfered from Hindu temples - but fascinatingly, the
faces that would have adorned these pillars have been removed to
conform to Islamic law, which strictly forbids iconic worship.
Somewhat incongruously, in the corner of the mosque stands the Iron
Pillar, bearing fourth-century Sanskrit inscriptions of the Gupta
period dedicating the structure to the memory of King Chandragupta
II (373-413). It is said that anyone who can encircle the pillar
with their hands whilst standing with their back to it will have
their wishes fulfilled.
Information & Facts
Address
Qutab Minar Complex, Mehrauli, 16 km from Connaught
Place
Admission
Language
Although English is generally used for official and
business purposes, Hindi is the official language and is spoken by
about 40 percent of the population. Urdu is the language common
with the Muslim demographic. India has a total of 22 official
languages
Money
The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR), which is divided into
100 paise (singular paisa). Major currencies can be changed at
banks, and authorised bureaux de changes. It is impossible to
obtain rupees outside India, but no matter what time you arrive in
India there will be an exchange office open at the airport. It is
illegal to exchange money through the black market and it is
advisable to refuse torn notes, as no one will accept them apart
from the National Bank. It is best to change money into small
denominations. Travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely
accepted, particularly in tourist orientated establishments. ATMs
are not generally available.
Opening Times
Open daily, from dawn to dusk