Like any other monument,it has seen changes over centuries.People coming and going,it has been a witness to date.Called as the world’s tallest brick minaret by many and the finest monument in the world by others. Also known as a marble tower of success, it has descended from the Mughals. Today this ‘piece of memory’ stands at a height of 72.5 m, proud of its brick and red marble crafting and standing peacefully in the midst of some of the greatest medieval structures ever made in history. Located in the area of Qutb complex,Mehrauli,South Delhi-this monument is none other than the infamous Qutub Minar! This ‘Minar’ needs no introduction: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once a pit-stop for season two of ‘The Amazing Race Australia’ and its own picture featured on the travel cards of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The Qutub Minar has a significance with regard to the history of Delhi. The mughal emperor Qutb-Ud-Din-Aibak won over the last Hindu kingdom of the city and as a symbol of Islamic justice (Qutub meaning ‘pole of justices’) he started its construction in 1193 which was concluded by his successor Iltutmish.
A few days back, I picked up my bag and got it all stocked up for a visit to the place. Leaving home, I boarded the metro and got off at Qutub Minar station (there are absolutely no connectivity issues for any number of wheels you choose,I preferred the metro).The gate pass cost me just 10 bucks( for a national it’s 10 but 250 for foreigners) and taking it I stepped into the complex. My first reaction was of a mountaineer who realizes the difference when he views his summit from a distance and when he has reached the it (that’s because I grew up seeing the Minar from the roof of my home and it was far off then). Putting the cliches aside I moved on straight to find the Minar and the Iron Pillar to my left and the Ala’i Minar to my right. Taking some steps to the left thereon reveals the Ala’i Darwaza,the Tomb and college of Alauddin Khalji and a mosque,all adjacent to each other. To be honest I came to see just the Minar , but the need for a great GoUNESCOselfie made me roam around and explore the whole complex. The Qutub Minar was very high when seen from close. There were inscriptions on every floor of it. Next I made my way to the Qutub canopy and landed up among seeing the Ala’i Darwaza,the mosque and the tomb. I touched their walls, so realistic and original and perhaps remaining so for centuries! I admired Alauddin khalji’s tomb and college,a perfect example of a place to study in peace and enjoy the breaks one takes while doing it. Reaching the canopy I felt moving further for a good picture and so I came up to the magnificent Iron Pillar and later to the Ala’i Minar. Corrosion-free wrought iron,matched by none of the contemporaries is the Pillar’s specialty. The Ala’i Minar too would have been bigger and wider than the Qutub Minar had it reached its completion (Alauddin Khalji initiated it but he died before its completion and his Minar has remained like that ever since). Finally I came back to the Qutub Minar, still no selfie. It was then I tried clicking it and got the background I wanted (luckily I was at a distance). Finally having taken the selfie and gained ‘extra information’ about the other sites I felt that this place always has something to offer to anyone who visits it. The one thing I would recommend personally is not to miss Alauddin Khalji’s tomb and college. Then came the time for me to bid goodbye to the place. ‘Adios Qutub Minar! Thanks for an experience to treasure!’,saying that I left for the metro station, reminiscing the walls I touched.
(All pictures taken solely by me)