Qutub Complex, New Delhi

Qutub Complex, New Delhi

The Qutub Complex in Mehrauli houses structures dating from the Slave Dynasty (1206-1290) and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Qutub Complex in Mehrauli 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. Light-and-sound show held most nights after sunset.

Qutub Minar, the 72.5 metre high minaret, is most famous structure on grounds, and was the tallest 'skyscraper' in the world when built (1193-1368) on the orders of Qutb-ud-din Aibak to honor Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki. 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 the IGI airport. While entry into the tower itself is no longer permitted, you can view the scenery via a little webcam on top.

The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Delhi's first and grandest mosque, now mostly in ruins, is part of the complex and has impressively carved sandstone columns. The square, domed Ala-i-Darwaza once acted as the entrance to the mosque, but is now tucked away behind the minar. Check out the extraordinarily ornate carvings near the tomb of Iltutmish on the west side of the complex.

True to its name, the Iron Pillar is a 7 m iron pillar erected in 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.

Ala-ud-din-Khilji set out to build a tower, Ala-i-Minar, twice as tall as the Qutub Minar, but died after a mere 24.5 m was complete.

Inlaid with marble decorations and latticed stone screens, the Tomb of Imam Zamin commemorates the Turkestani iman who was based in the mosque during the reign of Sikandar Lodi.