Qutab Minar at 7 am

 My daughter Shruthi visited home after two years. It was a moment of great excitement for all of us in the family. This time she had an extensive travel plan to visit cities across India. She planned to visit her grandmother, attend two weddings, trekking in Bangalore, spend time with Vikrants family in Kolkotta, and her home in Dubai.

Imagine my surprise when she announced one of her close friends, Darcy, would be joining her for half of her trip. My instant thought was how would be managed so many places. While she and Darcy were in discussion, New Delhi was added to the list. With her usual aplomb, Shruthi announced Mom, you are accompanying us to Delhi for a day. To my surprise, Vikrant also decided to join us in Delhi. I was excited at the prospect. Growing up in Delhi during my formative years, I love the city and never miss a chance to visit Delhi.

Delhi, the capital city, is famous for its food, shopping, and monuments. Qutab Minar is one of the most famous monuments of Delhi. We planned to visit the Qutab at 7 am; the main reason was to beat the Delhi traffic and enjoy the morning hours while the sun's morning rays fell on the towering minaret.

My first thought as we approached the Qutab was Spectacular. She stood tall, towering over everything around her. She is a silent spectator to the march of time and an ode to her makers. We slowly walked towards the Qutab as the crisp morning air hit us. The lawns around us were a verdant green; the usual tourist crowd was yet the hit the place. There were a few eager parents who had got their kids for a history lesson, perhaps. As we walked, we saw an old mogul mosque to our side. It was small and beautiful. Walking past the mosque, we entered the gateway to the complex. 

Passing an old mosque towards the gateway 

The Qutab Minar stands at 238 feet; its width is 47 feet at the base and tapers to 8 feet at the top. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The construction of the Minar was conceived by Qutbud- Din- Aibak. He started to construct the minar to symbolize his victory over Delhi. He could manage to make only one storey. The second, third and fourth were completed by IIltutmish, who was his successor. Lighting damaged the top storey in the year 1326. The repairs were made by Firoz Thuglak, who added an additional level to complete the present-day Qutab Minar. Today the Qutab stands with 5 storeys. Each of the storey has a balcony that juts out. The first three storeys are red in color because of the red sandstone used. The top two tiers are constructed with white marble and sandstone. 

There are inscriptions embellished in the structure. Every balcony is supported by decorative brackets that give a unique beauty to the tower. There are Quranic verses carvings in Islamic Calligraphy around the tower. The mix of floral, octagonal motifs, and calligraphy lends an aura of grace to the minar. 

   

Qutab Minar is not a standalone structure. There are many monuments/buildings within its vicinity. The important ones are the Qutab or Quwwat Ul Islam mosque, tomb of Iltutmish, Iron Pillar, Alai Minar, and Alai Darwaza.

The Iron Pillar... This pillar dates back to the 4th century. It was installed by Chandragupta Maurya 2 and bears an inscription written in Brahmi script. This pillar has resisted corrosion since its installation. The legend goes if you hug the pillar with your hands, your wishes will be granted. Presently, a barricade does not allow people to get close to the pillar.

Iron Pillar

Surrounding the Iron pillars are the beautiful arches that soar up in the sky. The stone corbelled arches, floral motifs, geometric patterns are imposing. These arches are the remains of the Quwwat Ul Islam Mosque. The Qutab Mosque is believed to be built by the spoils of that era's Hindu and Jain temples. The intricately carved courtyards of the mosque will leave one stunned at the beauty.

Corbel arches 

Courtyard of the mosque

Loaming arches 

Walking across the columns, we reached the Alai Darwaza. The Alai Darwaza was built by Khilji to extend the mosque on all four sides. The domed gateway opened to the open garden at the other end. The doorway was beautifully decorated with red sandstone, inlaid with white marble. The Lattice stone screens showed the craftsmanship of the artists. The pointed arches and fringes added grace to the mosque. 

Intricate carvings of Alai Darwaza 

Alai Darwaza 

Past the gateway, there was a small tomb. It was the tomb of Imam Zamin. The tomb was relatively small in structure compared to the massive heights of the minar and mosques. From there, we exited the central arch to a cupola called the Smiths folly. 

latticework that fascinates

A scale of size

Retracing our steps, we saw massive rubble of rocks placed together. It looked like the ruins of the place. However, it was the remains of the Minar that Alladin Khilji's unfinished feat of constructing his own Minar. He had conceived the tower to be two times higher than the Qutab. 

Rubbels of Alai Minar

A visit to the Qutab made a great history lesson and was a superb photographic experience. Even though it was built after demolishing temples that existed in the complex before the Qutab, it stands as testimony to the needless ego of rulers across cultures, to commemorate the victory one does come away with awe after visiting Qutab Minar. Whether it is the rust-free pillar standing erect, tall, and imposing after thousands of years and multiple wraths of nature, or the aesthetic sense of the artisans, a visit evokes several emotions at human achievements, vile acts of plunder, and architectural marvels left behind. 

Selfie with the Qutab