Qutub Minar, Delhi (must see)

The Qutb Minar, also known as Qutub Minar and Qutab Minar, stands as a remarkable minaret and "victory tower," forming an integral part of the Qutb complex, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the Mehrauli area of New Delhi. Soaring to a height of 72.5 meters, it holds the distinction of being the world's tallest minaret constructed from bricks. Its majestic tower tapers gracefully, with a base diameter of 14.3 meters (47 feet) that gradually diminishes to a mere 2.7 meters (9 feet) at its peak. The minaret boasts a spiral staircase comprising 379 steps.

The origins of the Qutb Minar date back to the restoration of Lal Kot, the citadel of Dhillika. In 1199, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a deputy of Muhammad of Ghor who established the Delhi Sultanate after the demise of Muhammad of Ghor, initiated the construction of the first story of the Qutb Minar, embellishing it with inscriptions praising Muhammad of Ghor.

Subsequently, Shamsuddin Iltutmish, Aibak's successor and son-in-law, completed three additional stories. However, a calamitous lightning strike in 1369 damaged the uppermost story. To rectify this, Firuz Shah Tughlaq, the reigning ruler at that time, replaced the damaged portion and added another story to the minaret. During his rule, Sher Shah Suri further contributed by installing an entrance, while the Mughal emperor Humayun was in exile.

Encompassing the Qutb Minar are several historically significant monuments within the Qutb complex. Notable among them is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, constructed by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in A.D. 1198, which remains one of the earliest surviving mosques in the Indian subcontinent.

In recognition of its cultural and historical significance, the Qutb Minar was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, attracting numerous visitors and becoming one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Delhi.