Qutb Minar, the highest tower in India

Qutb Minar, the highest tower in India, is built in red and buff sandstone. It has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the highest stone tower in India. This tower has a diameter of 14.32 m at the base and about 2.75 m on the top with a height of 72.5 m.

It was Qutbu'd-Din Aibak who laid the foundation of this Minar in AD 1199 and it was completed by his successor and son-in-law, Shamsu'd-Din Iltutmish (AD 1211-36). The tower was constructed for the use of mu’azzin (crier) to give calls for the prayer.

All the storeys of the Minar are surrounded by a projected balcony encircled and supported by stone brackets, which are decorated with honey-comb design, especially in the first storey. It stands as an important example of Indo-Islamic architecture.

The monuments near by this tower are embellished with numerous inscriptions in Arabic and Nagari characters. The Iron Pillar in the complex of Qutb courtyard bears the inscriptions in Sanskrit in Brahmi script of fourth century AD. The Qutb Minar and its complex are located at Mehrauli in South Delhi, India.