Nestling in the southern quarters of lush Delhi, the 237.8 ft stately tower is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture. This ornate tower is now an eminent member of the World Heritage Site community, and leans about 60 cm off the vertical, but otherwise has survived the ravages of time impressively.

In 1199, Qutub-ud-Din Aibak raised the Qutub Minar either as a victory tower or as a minaret to the adjacent mosque. However, only the first story was completed by Qutub-ud-din. The other storeys were built by his successor and son-in-law, IItumish (1211-36 AD). The two circular stories in white marble were built by Firozshah Tughlaq in 1368, who used marble to face the redstone. From a base of 14.32m, it tapers to 2.75m at a height of 72.5m. It’s a red sandstone tower covered with beautiful and striking carvings and is inscribed with verses from the holy Quran. Its projecting balconies with inscriptional decorative bands on different storey heighten its decorative effect. With a height of 72.5 m and 379 steps, it is the highest stone tower in India, as well as one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised and Delhi's recognized landmark.

According to history books, the minar was started by Prithviraj or his uncle Vigraharaja who won Delhi from the Tomar Rajputs. However, it is assumed and historians believe that Qutubuddib and Iltutmish finished it though the minar may have been commenced by Prithviraj or Vigraharaja. The minar was completed in 1200 A.D and since then the tall structure has been there upright and ever beautiful keeping an eye to Delhi just like a sentry. When Alauddin returned from the wars in the Deccan, he had this thought in mind that he would build a victory tower somewhat similar to the Qutab Minar. The ruins of this very initiative can be seen adjacent to the Qutbuddin's mosque because Alauddin died at the very start of the construction work and no one carried on to finish the initiative taken by Alauddin.

Qutab Minar is another great masterpiece of Mughal architecture. It has a number of floors or storeys which has beautiful carvings like the one on the tomb of Iltutmish. There are inscriptions all round the tower and these inscriptions reveal that Iltutmish finished the tower. The structure of the wall is made as such that it widens from top to bottom, just to make the minar stronger.

Moving upstairs inside the minar will give you a wonderful experience and counting the stairs is always a fun for visitors. It has 378 steps which takes good amount of energy to reach at the top. The top of the tower gives an insight to Delhi because you get to see the bird's eye view of the city. To point a few sight seeing from the top, you will find views of the Hauz Khaz on the left and the walls of the Jahanpanah and Siri on the right. It was this very top of Qutab Minar that was used by Khilji and Tughlaq kings to watch the wild Mongol hordes when they threatened Delhi.

The Qutub Complex is a fine example of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The artists employed by Aibak and Iltutmish were Hindus and the raw material was also obtained from existing Hindu and Jain temples. The figures carved on the pillars were disfigured by them because it depiction of human and animal figures is not allowed in Islam. By the time Ala-ud-Din came to power Muslim rule was established in the country and there were many artists who have come from the Central Asia. Thus the difference in the buildings of the period of Qutub-ud-Din Aibak, Iltutmish and Ala-ud-Din Khilji is prominent. The buildings of the Qutub Complex are listed in the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in India.