Qutab Minar & Qutb Complex In British Era Delhi, 2 Photos 1910
Two 1910 photographs of Qutub Minar and the Qutb Complex during the British era in Delhi. Rising majestically above Delhi’s skyline for over 800 years is the Qutub Minar. One of India’s most celebrated medieval monuments. Construction of the tall minaret began in 1199 under Qutb-ud-din Aibak, founder of the Delhi Sultanate. Although closely associated with Qutb-ud-din Aibak, he completed only the first storey. Iltutmish added three more floors, and Firoz Shah Tughlaq rebuilt the top after lightning damage.
His successor, Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, added further storeys, while the upper sections were later restored and rebuilt by Firoz Shah Tughlaq after damage caused by lightning. Built primarily of red sandstone, with intricate bands of Quranic inscriptions and geometric carvings, the 73-metre (240 feet) high Qutub Minar remains one of the tallest brick minarets in the world. Its design reflects a fascinating blend of Persian inspiration and local Indian craftsmanship.
The surrounding Qutb Complex is equally rich in history, representing layers of Delhi’s medieval past. This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. The complex also houses the famed Iron Pillar of Delhi, a metallurgical marvel dating back to the Gupta period that has resisted corrosion for over 1,600 years. Other notable structures include the tomb of Iltutmish, the Alai Darwaza, and the unfinished Alai Minar. Sultan Alauddin Khalji dreamed of building the Alai Minar, a tower twice the height of the Qutub Minar. Construction stopped after his death, leaving only its enormous first storey as a reminder of his grand ambition. Today, the Qutub Complex stands as one of Delhi’s most visited heritage attractions, offering a compelling glimpse into the city’s architectural evolution.
Did you know – visitors were allowed to climb the Qutub Minar’s 379-step spiral staircase until 1981. After a tragic stampede claimed several lives, public access to the interior was permanently closed.
