Tourist Sites In Delhi

Qutab Minar Complex

Iron Pillar
The seven-metre-high pillar stands in the courtyard of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and has been there since long before the mosque's construction.
An inscription in sanskrit of six lines clearly indicates that it was initially erected outside a Vishnu temple, possibly in Bihar, and was raised in memory of the Gupta King Chandragupta Vikramaditya, who ruled from 375 to 413. It is said to have been built sometime then and brought to Delhi by the Tomar king Anangpal, somewhere in the 11th century.
There is a hole on the top where there might have been a sculpture of Garuda, Vishnu's celestial vehicle.
The inscription however does not tell us how it was made. The quality of the iron used for constructing the pillar is exceptionally pure and has not at all rusted even after 2000 years.

Top - The entry to the Quwwat-ul-islam mosque and iron pillar complex
Middle - The pillar with one of the arches
Bottom - One of the graves inside the mosque and pillar complex Click on the pictures for larger views

It is said that if you can encircle the pillar with your hands whilst standing with your back towards it, your wish will most certainly be granted. But, that can not happen anymore, since the ASI has protected the pillar with a railing.

Quwwat Ul Islam Mosque
Known as the Quwwat Ul Islam (Might of Islam), this is the earlies extant mosque in the country.It consists of a rectangular courtyard, 43.2 sq metres by 32.9 sq metres, elcosed by cloisters which were erected by Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak with the carved columns and other architectural members of twenty such Hindu and Jain temples.

The iron pillars among the ruins of the mosque
Click on the picture for a larger view

The contruction of the mosque was begun in 1193 AD by Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak of the Mamluk(or the slave) dynasty and completed in 1197 AD. A massive stone screen of lofty five arches was put up in front of its prayer hall which imparted an islamic character to the building. The screen is beautifully carved with borders of inscriptions and geometrical and arabesque designs. But the hand of the craftsmen used to Hindu motifs is nonetheless clear in naturalisti curved lines.
Left - The intricate work on one of the arches

Subsequently, the mosque was enlarged by two later rulers, Shansuddin Iltutmish (1211 - 1236 AD) and Alauddin Khalji (1296 - 1316 AD). The screens of these two sultans are carved with purely islamic motifs abounding in geometric patterns. Bottom - One of the corridors
Click on the pictures for larger views.

Next Set of monuments Back to Qutab Minar Complex Home
theteam@delhigate.com
New Delhi, India

Iron Pillar The seven-metre-high pillar stands in the courtyard of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and has been there since long before the mosque's construction. An inscription in sanskrit of six lines clearly indicates that it was initially erected outside a Vishnu temple, possibly in Bihar, and was raised in memory of the Gupta King Chandragupta Vikramaditya, who ruled from 375 to 413. It is said to have been built sometime then and brought to Delhi by the Tomar king Anangpal, somewhere in the 11th century. There is a hole on the top where there might have been a sculpture of Garuda, Vishnu's celestial vehicle. The inscription however does not tell us how it was made. The quality of the iron used for constructing the pillar is exceptionally pure and has not at all rusted even after 2000 years.	Top - The entry to the Quwwat-ul-islam mosque and iron pillar complex Middle - The pillar with one of the arches Bottom - One of the graves inside the mosque and pillar complex Click on the pictures for larger views
It is said that if you can encircle the pillar with your hands whilst standing with your back towards it, your wish will most certainly be granted. But, that can not happen anymore, since the ASI has protected the pillar with a railing.
Quwwat Ul Islam Mosque Known as the Quwwat Ul Islam (Might of Islam), this is the earlies extant mosque in the country.It consists of a rectangular courtyard, 43.2 sq metres by 32.9 sq metres, elcosed by cloisters which were erected by Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak with the carved columns and other architectural members of twenty such Hindu and Jain temples.	The iron pillars among the ruins of the mosque Click on the picture for a larger view
	The contruction of the mosque was begun in 1193 AD by Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak of the Mamluk(or the slave) dynasty and completed in 1197 AD. A massive stone screen of lofty five arches was put up in front of its prayer hall which imparted an islamic character to the building. The screen is beautifully carved with borders of inscriptions and geometrical and arabesque designs. But the hand of the craftsmen used to Hindu motifs is nonetheless clear in naturalisti curved lines. Left - The intricate work on one of the arches
Subsequently, the mosque was enlarged by two later rulers, Shansuddin Iltutmish (1211 - 1236 AD) and Alauddin Khalji (1296 - 1316 AD). The screens of these two sultans are carved with purely islamic motifs abounding in geometric patterns.	Bottom - One of the corridors Click on the pictures for larger views.