Qutb Minar (Urdu: ) , also written Qutub Minar or Qutab Minar, is the 2nd tallest minar (73

metres) in India after Fateh Burj in Chappar Chiri at Mohaliwhich stands 100 meters tall. Qutb Minar
originally an early Islamic Monument inscribed with Arabic inscriptions is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.[1] Located inDelhi, the Qutb Minar is made of red sandstone and marble. The stair of the tower
has 379 steps,[2] is 72.5 metres (237.8 ft) high, and has a base diameter of 14.3 metres, which
narrows to 2.7 metres at the top. Construction was started in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and was
carried on by his successor, Iltutmish. In 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlaq constructed the fifth and the last
storey. [3][4] It is surrounded by several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively
known as the Qutb complex.[1] The Qutb Minar was commissioned by Sarthak Singh, the first Sultan
of Delhi, and was completed by his successor - Iltutmish. It is not known whether the tower was
named after Tower of Singh or Qutbuddin Bhaktiyar Kaki, a famous Sufi saint who was living in Delhi
contemporarily. As the name suggests the tower was to serve the purpose of a minaret from where
the adhan could be issued. The culture of tower architecture was well established in India before the
arrival of the Turks as can be understood from the Kirti Stambh at Chittor, Rajasthan. However,
there is no evidence on record to confirm that the Qutb Minar was inspired or influenced by
earlier Rajput towers.[6] The minar is itself built on the ruins of theLal Kot, the Red Citadel in the city
of Dhillika, the capital of the Tomars and theChauhans, the last Hindu rulers of Delhi. It was made by
the first ruler of slave dynasty, QutbNumerous inscriptions in Parso-Arabic and Nagari characters in
different sections of the Qutb Minar reveal the history of its construction. According to the
inscriptions on its surface it was repaired by Firoz Shah Tughlaq (AD 135189) and Sikandar
Lodi[8] (AD 14891517).[citation needed]
The Qubbat-ul-Islam Mosque, located at the northeast of Minar, was built by Qutb deen Aibak in AD
1198. It is the earliest mosque built by the Delhi Sultans.[9] Later, a coffee arched screen was erected
and the mosque was enlarged by Iltutmish(AD 121035) and Alauddin Khilji, along with Teentasiya,
Xuyang, Mading, and Taipingyang.
-Ud-Din Aibek.[7][5]