GoGo
All UNESCO SitesIndia

Qutb Minar and its Monuments

Delhi · India

Background

World Heritage since
1993
Type of site
Cultural
Tower begun
Early 13th c.

Built in the early 13th century a few kilometres south of Delhi, the red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high, tapering from 2.75 m across at its peak to 14.32 m at its base, with alternating angular and rounded flutings. UNESCO says the surrounding archaeological area holds funerary buildings, the magnificent Alai-Darwaza gate of 1311, a masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art, and two mosques, including the Quwwatu'l-Islam, the oldest in northern India, built of materials reused from some 20 Brahman temples.

The victory tower was begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, who became the first Sultan of Delhi, continued by Iltutmish and completed by Firoz Shah Tughlaq in 1368. Wikivoyage says it was the tallest tower in the world when built, and that the gardens are so well kept the complex doubles as a picnic spot, with a light-and-sound show most nights after sunset.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. Early 13th c.Qutb-ud-din Aibak begins the victory tower
  2. 1311The Alai-Darwaza gate is built
  3. 1368Firoz Shah Tughlaq completes the minar
  4. 1993Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Qutb Minar
    The fluted five-storey tower, 72.5 m high.
  2. 2
    Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
    The oldest mosque in northern India, built from the stones of 20 temples.
  3. 3
    Iron Pillar
    The 1,600-year-old rust-free pillar in the mosque courtyard.
  4. 4
    Alai Darwaza
    The domed gateway of 1311.
  5. 5
    Mehrauli Archaeological Park
    Tombs and stepwells next door, with the Garden of Five Senses nearby.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Metro to Qutub Minar
Wikivoyage: the Yellow Line's Qutub Minar station, or a bus to the Lado Sarai terminal.
Sunrise to Sunset
The complex opens daily from sunrise to sunset; the light-and-sound show follows most evenings.
Afternoon Light
The GoGo guide comes at 15:00, when the red sandstone glows.
Picnic Gardens
The lawns are a popular place to sit; allow time beyond the tower itself.

Delhi's Tower and Tombs

From the GoGo Delhi guide · Open the Delhi Guide ›

  1. 08:30
    Humayun's Tomb90 min
    The Mughal garden tomb.
  2. 15:00
    Qutb Minar Complex90 min
    The victory tower and the iron pillar.
  3. 16:30
    Hauz Khas Village90 min
    The lake, the tombs and the cafés.
  4. 20:00
    Butter Chicken and Dal90 min
    The dish that was invented in Delhi.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Nov–Feb. Very hot (highs 34°C+) in Apr–Sep. Rainy season Jul–Aug.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Jul (178 mm), driest Nov (4 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
Humayun's Tomb is 10 km away and the Red Fort 15 km; Agra and Fatehpur Sikri make the classic day trip from Delhi.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 233 · Wikipedia: Qutb Minar complex · Wikivoyage: Delhi/South (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Delhi guide · UNESCO listing