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The Qutub Complex in Delhi, India, UNESCO World Heritage Site with nice gardens

Qutub Minar
Street: Qutub Minar
City: Delhi
Country: India
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This complex in Mehrauli, south Delhi, houses structures dating from the Slave Dynasty (1206-1290) and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gardens are kept in excellent shape, making this a popular relaxation and picnic spot. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, entry is 20/250 rupees Indians/foreigners. Light-and-sound show held most nights after sunset.

- Qutub Minar – The most famous structure on grounds, this 72.5m minaret was the tallest "skyscraper" in the world when built (1193-1368) on the orders of Qutb-ud-din Aybak. Delicately carved, it has been astonishingly well preserved and is still an awe-inspiring sight today. It's often visible from air when flying into IGI airport! (Sticklers for archaeological truth will, however, note that the top of the tower has twice been rebuilt after an earthquake, and the base has been restored more recently.) While entry into the tower itself is no longer permitted, for 10 rupees per five min you can view the scenery via a little webcam on top.

- Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Delhi's first and grandest mosque, now mostly in ruins, but many parts of the complex are still standing and the sandstone decorations are still impressive. Check out the extraordinarily ornate carvings near the tomb of Iltutmish on the west side of the complex.

- Iron Pillar is in the center of the mosque. True to its name, this is a seven-meter iron pillar erected c. 400 AD by Chandragupta II Vikramaditya, also known as "he, by the breezes of whose prowess the southern ocean is even still perfumed" according to the inscription carved on the base. Alas, Chandragupta II's perfume has long since faded, but to the amazement of metallurgists everywhere his pillar is still going strong after 1600 years.

- Ala-i-Minar – Ala-ud-din-Khilji set out to build a tower twice as high as the Qutub Minar, but died after a mere 24.5 m was complete. The first story stands to this day.

- Ala-i-Darwaza – This square, domed building once acted as the entrance to the mosque, but is now tucked away behind the minar. Inlaid marble decorations and latticed stone screens.

- Tomb of Imam Zamin – Outside the main complex, next to the Ala-i-Darzawa, this octagonal tomb commemorates a Turkestani iman who was based in the mosque during the reign of Sikandar Lodi.



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Based on a work at Wikitravel.org & Traveldudes.org.

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Qutub MinarQutub MinarQutub Minar - detailed balconyQutub Minar - East entranceQutub Minarred sandstoneQutub Minar - mosqueQutub Minar - Tomb of Imam ZaminQutub Minar - Tomb of Ala-ud-din-Khilji

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