Qutb Minar - The Tallest Brick Built Tower in the World

Qutb Minar in Delhi, India

Qutb Minar, (also spelled Qutub Minar) at 72 meters, is the tallest brick minaret in the world. The tower is located in the Mehrauli area of Delhi, India. Made of red sandstone and marble, Qutb Minar is a 73-meter (240 feet) tall tapering tower with a diameter measuring 14.32 meters (47 feet) at the base and 2.75 meters (9 feet) at the peak. Inside the tower, a circular staircase with 379 steps leads to the top. 

In 1200 AD, Qutb al-Din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate started construction of the Qutb Minar. In 1220, Aibak's successor and son-in-law Iltutmish added three storeys to the tower. In 1369, lightning struck the top storey, destroying it completely. So, Firoz Shah Tughlaq carried out restoration work replacing the damaged storey with two new storeys every year, made of red sandstone and white marble.

Kutb Mimar at Night

Qutb Minar in evening light behind trees

Kutb Minar during full moon

Qutb Minar during the sunset

Qutb Minar standing still

The incomplete Alai Minar.

Qutb Minar and Mehrauli Pillar

Inscription panels of Kufic calligraphy running around the ornate balcony

Closer view of the balcony

Closer view of the calligraphy 

Closer view of the calligraphy

Closer view of the calligraphy 

Closer view of the calligraphy 

Calligraphy on Qutb Minar as seen from bottom up

The top storey was reconstructed in marble by Firoz Shah Tughlaq 

Pillared monuments AT Qutb MinaR

Door Carvings in Marble

Inside the Tomb of Iltutmish

Qutab Minar in Mehrauli in Delhi. Clifton and Co., around 1890

Kuttull Minor, Delhi. The Qutb Minar, 1805

Photo Source: Collected from Internet