Qutub Minar: the Victory Tower
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| From left: Bunna, Mengkoang and Bunthorn, Qutub Mina, Delhi, September 27, 2019. |
Qutub Minar is one of the important tourist locations in Delhi. It is a historical complex related to Muslim rulers in Delhi. The Minar was built by Delhi sultanate in the 12 century CE known to be the first building built by Muslim kings after they defeated Hindu rulers. It was built as a victory tower.
It is 73 metres tall and is the tallest brick minaret in the world, and the second tallest Minar in India after Fateh Burj at Mohali, Punjab. [Fateh Burj is the 328 feet tower dedicated to the establishment of the Sikh Misls in a large part of India in 1711.]
Before visitors were allowed to go up to the top of the tower but after it was prohibited after an accident that killed 47 people. Now it’s said it is haunted.
Before 1974, the general public was not allowed access to the first floor of the minaret, via the internal staircase. Access to the top was stopped after 1000 due to suicides. On 4 December 1981, the staircase lighting failed. Between 400 and 500 visitors stampeded towards the exit, and 47 were killed by their crush and some were injured. Most of these were school children. Since then, the tower has been closed to the public. Since this incident, the rules regarding entry have been stringent.
Before visitors were allowed to go up to the top of the tower but after it was prohibited after an accident that killed 47 people. Now it’s said it is haunted.
Before 1974, the general public was not allowed access to the first floor of the minaret, via the internal staircase. Access to the top was stopped after 1000 due to suicides. On 4 December 1981, the staircase lighting failed. Between 400 and 500 visitors stampeded towards the exit, and 47 were killed by their crush and some were injured. Most of these were school children. Since then, the tower has been closed to the public. Since this incident, the rules regarding entry have been stringent.
The Qutub Complex houses some of the most sophisticated architectural masterpieces and historic structures in India, including the Qutub Minar, the Iron Pillar, the ruins of ancient Jain Temples, Ala-ud-din’s sprawling Madrasa, and Altamish’s Tomb, situated in a magnificent sandstone and marble mausoleum.
Here in the video, three of us, Bunthorn, Bunna and Mengkoang, are students from Cambodia exploring this historical site on Friday afternoon, September 27, 2019. It’s our first visit here. We spend about one-hour sightseeing in this iconic location in Delhi. The complex filled with local and international tourists.
It's a wonderful place to revisit history and the Qutub Complex is big enough for families and you can see families sitting around during winters and evenings. However, this site is heavily visited by Indians who have the day off and school groups. People love to go there to click photos. This is really a 'must' visit when in Delhi.
There is a beautiful song "Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar" shot here by Bollywood actor and director Dev Anand from his film Tere Ghar Ke Samne inside the Minar.
There is a beautiful song "Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar" shot here by Bollywood actor and director Dev Anand from his film Tere Ghar Ke Samne inside the Minar.
Fee and Timing
Qutb Minar opens all days from sunrise to sunset usually from 7 AM to 5 PM / 9 PM.
Entry fee for Indian visitors is 35 INR and foreign nationals 550 INR paying via QR code (online payment) displayed at the entry gate otherwise fee for foreign visitors is 600 INR.
