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Qutb complex
South Delhi district
monuments and buildings from the Delhi Sultanate at Mehrauli, Delhi, India
Contents
9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Qutb complex2:22
Welcome to the Qutb Complex, a sprawling archaeological site that marks the very beginning of the Delhi Sultanate and the arrival of Islamic rule in North India. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a palimpsest of history, where…
Listen in the app2The Mughal Sarai — A Gateway of Travelers2:12
Your tour begins at the Mughal Sarai, the primary entrance to the complex. This structure is a 'caravan sarai', a traditional roadside inn for travelers and their animals, built during the Mughal period—likely in the time of Shah…
Listen in the app3Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque — A Synthesis of Stones2:09
Step into the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, which translates to 'The Might of Islam'. Built in 1198 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, this was the first mosque constructed in Delhi. …
Listen in the app4The Iron Pillar — A Metallurgical Mystery2:06
Standing in the center of the mosque courtyard is the legendary Iron Pillar. This 7-meter-tall column has stood for over 1,600 years without rusting—a feat that continues to baffle modern scientists. …
Listen in the app5The Qutb Minar — The Tower of Victory2:22
We now approach the complex's namesake: the magnificent Qutb Minar. At 72.5 meters, it is a soaring masterpiece of red sandstone and marble. …
Listen in the app6Alai Darwaza — The Gateway of the Khaljis1:58
Standing at the southern edge of the mosque complex is the Alai Darwaza, built in 1311 by Sultan Alauddin Khalji. This is arguably the most beautiful building in the entire complex and a landmark in the history of Islamic…
Listen in the app7Alai Minar — The Unfinished Ambition1:56
Just north of the Qutb Minar lies a massive, roughly hewn mound of rubble known as the Alai Minar. This was the most ambitious project of Sultan Alauddin Khalji, who intended to build a tower twice as large and twice as tall as…
Listen in the app8Tomb of Iltutmish — A Jewel Box of Calligraphy1:57
Finally, we visit the Tomb of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, the ruler who completed the Qutb Minar and is considered the true founder of the Delhi Sultanate. Built in 1235, this tomb is a 'jewel box' of stone. …
Listen in the app9Closing1:49
As we conclude our tour of the Qutb Complex, take one final look at the shadow of the minaret stretching across the ruins. This site is the cradle of Islamic architecture in India, a place where the rubble of the past was forged…
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What is Qutb complex?
Qutb complex is a place in South Delhi district with 9 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | South Delhi district |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 9 |
| Total length | 18 min 51 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 28.5244, 77.1854 |
| Last updated |