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Qutub Minar, Delhi |
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Qutub Minar commands an important place in the history of Indian Monumental Heritage. It is the tallest freestanding stone tower in the entire Indian subcontinent and one of the landmark architecture of the Mughal's in India. Situated in the capital city of New Delhi, the tower is the most sought after spot for visitors to the country. The tower is built of red sandstone and is about 73 meters in height. Bands of inscriptions picked from the Holy Quran graces the walls of the tower. All the four storeys of the tower are surrounded by splendid balconies with elaborately decorated brackets.
It is said that the minar was erected to commemorate the victory of Mohammed Ghori over the Rajputs in 1192. His viceroy and the first Sultan of the slave dynasty, Qutubuddin Aibak, commenced the construction of the tower and completed a part of it, while the rest was completed successively by the later Mughal rulers. However, it is also said that the tower was intended to serve as a minaret to the adjoining mosque, which was used by muezzins of that time. Whatever may be the reason behind the origin of this tower, but the pride and charm it evokes is unsurpassable even today.
Close to the vicinity of the tower lies another interesting and curious structure of iron in the form of a flagstaff. The iron pillar, dating back to the 4 th century AD was erected in honor of Hindu God, Vishnu and in commemoration of the Gupta king -Chandragupta II. This age-old mystical iron pillar showcases the ancient India's achievements in metallurgy and has stood 1,600 years without rusting and decomposing.
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