Qutub Minar is one of the prime attractions amongst all the historical monuments of India. Situated in the Qutub complex at Mehrauli in South Delhi, it is one of the finest examples of Indo Islamic architecture. With regard to the name of the tower, historians have conflicting views. Many historians believe that it was named after Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of India while the others contend that it was named in honor of Khwaja Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiar Kaki, a saint from Baghdad, who was highly venerated by Iltutmish. It is believed that the construction of this heavenly monument was a result of several events that occurred in the past. However, the most important reason for the construction of this historical monument was for making calls for prayers. Moreover, the Qutub complex is also surrounded by many other architectural marvels. This fascinating structure is a well-known historical tourist destination and is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Qutb Minar of Delhi (also spelt Qutub Minar) is the world’s tallest brick minaret, and a world heritage site. In 1060 AD, after Muhammad-bin-Sam (Muhammad Ghori) defeated Prithvi Raj Chauhan, the then ruler of Delhi, he left his governor Qutb-ud-din Aibak to rule India, paving the way for the slave dynasty to establish roots in India. There is a huge minar in the heart of his city (now called Mehrauli), which most people attribute to this first Islamic ruler of north India – Qutb-ud-Din Aibak.

THE FIRST JAMA MASJID :

For those who don’t know, ‘Jama Masjid’ (or Jami Masjid / Jumma Masjid / Masjid-e-Jami) is the majestic Friday Mosque built for the Muslim population of the city. Inscriptions in the Qutb Complex suggest that Qutb-ud-Din Aibak built this Mosque as the first building after stepping on Indian Soil. Qutb-ud-din Aibak was ruling over Delhi from 1206 to 1210 AD. There is some confusion over the actual name of this mosque. These days, we call it Quwwat-ul-Islam (Might of Islam), but the old books suggest that its name was Qubbat-e-Islam. R.N.Munshi even writes it as ‘Qutb-ul-Islam’. Further, Munshi quotes the translation of the inscription written on the walls of Mosque (done by Thomas in his book – Pathan Kings):

“Kutb-ud-Din Aibak, on whom be the mercy of God, constructed this mosque.
This fortress was conquered and this Masjid Jami was built during the months of the year 587 by the great and mighty commander-in-chief Kutb-ul-Dawlat-wa-ul-Din, the commander of commanders, Aibeg Sultan. May God exalt his helpers! Materials from 27 idol temples, each of which cost twice thousand into thousand Diliwals, have been used in this Masjid. May Almighty God send mercy on him, who prays for the rest of the builder!”

ORIGIN OF QUTB MINAR :

According to the popular belief, the Qutb Minar was built by Qutubud-din Aibak. However, I have found numerous proofs that he neither had funds, nor the time (in his tiny 4 year regime), to build, or even commence such a majestic structure. It appears to me that associating it with Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak was a “historian’s mistake”. If you read the notings of historians & travellers who came to India during the Sultanate period, you will find that they honour this Minar as “Sultan Altamash’s Minar”. Hasan Nizami dedicated his work Taj-ul-Maasir (the crown of exploits) to sultan Aibak but also mentioned major events from the period of his predecessor and successor. There is no reference to any such Minar in this important piece of work, which talks about a period after 7 years of Aibak’s death. If Qutubuddin Aibak even dreamed about (if not commissioned) this minar, then we must have found atleast some mention in this book.

MINARETS OF JAM, GHAZNI AND KONYE:

Minaret of Ghazni: Built by Muizuddin Bahram in 10th century in the city of Ghazni. It is little different from the Qutb Minar but has many similarities, like built by same generation of rulers and it is also the minaret of a mosque.

Minaret of Gutluk Temir in Konye-Urgench: This is the third tallest brick minaret in world built in Old Urgench city of Turkmenistan in 11th century.

Minaret of Jam: This Minaret, very much similar to the architecture of Qutub Minar is situated in Shahrak District of Ghor Province of Afghanistan. It is right next to the Hari River. This 65 metre high minaret was completed in 12th century. This place (called Firuzkoh) was the summer capital of Ghorid Dynasty (from whence Qutbuddin Aibak came). This is the second tallest brick minaret of world and was probably attached to a mosque, just like Qutb Minar.