Tallest Free-Standing Stone Minarets: Qutb Minar - Storytrails

Tallest Free-Standing Stone Minarets: Qutb Minar

Did you know that Qutb Minar is one of the tallest free-standing stone minarets in the world? But when Qutubuddin Aibak built it in 1192, it wasn’t nearly as tall. It grew over time with many subsequent kings adding to the tower.

1. Qutb Minar tower

I, Ondřej Žváček, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Qutb_Minar_tower.jpg


2. Taj Mahal, Agra, India

Taj_Mahal,_Agra,_India_edit2.jpg: Yann; edited by King of Heartsderivative work: Jbarta, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taj_Mahal,_Agra,_India_edit3.jpg


3. Engraved plate of Cootub Minar from ‘Fisher’s Drawing Room Scrap Book,’ 1833

Artist: S. Prout. Engraver: E. Challis, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1833-32-Cootub_Minar,_Delhi.png


4. Qutb Minar, Delhi 1865

Samuel Bourne (1834-1912), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Qutb_Minar_Delhi_1865.jpg


5. Photochrom Print of Kutub Minar, Delhi, India

Photoglob Co., publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Delhi._Kutub_Minar_LCCN2017657609.tif


6. Qutb Minar inside Qutb Complex in New Delhi

Fuzail Ahmad, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Qutub_Minar_Vertical2.jpg


7. Qutub Minar, First Floor

D.garvit, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Qutub_Minar_First_Floor.JPG


8. Qutb Minar, second floor balcony

Varun Shiv Kapur from New Delhi, India, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Qutb_Minar_2nd_floor_balcony_(2897528089).jpg


9. Calligraphy on the fourth storey, Qutb Minar

Varun Shiv Kapur, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calligraphy_on_the_fourth_storey,_Qutb_Minar.jpg


10. Qutb Minar, Delhi, India

Sfu, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Qutb_Minar_2011.jpg



11. Arabic and Nagari inscriptions in the plain, fluted masonry of the Qutab Minar 

Dennis Jarvis from Halifax, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:India-0343_-_Flickr_-_archer10_(Dennis).jpg


12. Marble carvings on the Door in the Qutub Complex

Srividya, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marble_carvings_on_Door_in_Qutub_Complex.jpg


13. Qutub Minar, Delhi, India

Hsoniji007, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Qutub_minar_delhi_india_old_monument.jpg


END OF STORY

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