Qutb Minar Complex at Delhi: A Review
- kamalparu
- Jul 5
- 7 min read
Qutb Minar Complex at Delhi: A Review
Chain & Bells Images Carved on the Pillars
Panoramic View of Qutb Minar
· Qutb Minar, an engineering marvel of mediaeval India, standing majestically in the Mehrauli area of Delhi for more than 800 years. It is the tallest stone structure/ tower (minar) of India.
· It is believed that this minar derives its name either from Qutb ud-Din Aibak (sultan of Delhi, 1206 to 1210 CE) or from Qutbddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (c. 1173 to 1235 CE), a sufi saint whose dargah is situated in Mehrauli area.
· After a gap of nearly 20 years, recently we got opportunity to visit the Qutb Minar complex. The magnificent monuments, intricately carved stone pillars & sculptures, tombs, gateways, lofty stone screens etc.- all creates a group of architectural marvels. The level of perfection and artistic expression are unparalleled and baffling. It compelled us to ponder over the architectural and engineering aspects of these monuments afresh.
Beautiful Views of Qutb Minar
Brief Details about Qutb Minar Complex & Review
(1) Architectural Aspects
· As per historians, it is believed that a group of 27 Nos. Jain and Hindu temples were existing at this location prior to construction of Qutb minar. These temples might be representing the 27 Nos. constellation (Nakshtra) in the sky.
· To know about their construction period, we should have a look at the ‘Ghantai ( or Ghanti ) Temple, at Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) which is a Jain temple, dedicated to the 1st tirthankara Rishavhanath (or Adinath). It is believed that this temple was constructed during the reign of Chandela king Dhangdeva around 995 CE. The chain & bell (ghanti) motif on the pillars of the temple are very prominent, due to which it is known as ‘Ghantai Temple’.
Ghantai Temple, Khajuraho
· It is said that ‘Quwwat – ul –Islam’ mosque was constructed using the retrieved building materials from these temples.
· While walking through corridors of the complex, we can see an array of intricately carved stone pillars depicting images of Jain & Hindu gods & goddess, chain & bells patterns, horse - mounted warriors , plants, flowers, creepers, mystical creatures, religious symbols, column capitals with yaksha & yakshani images, panels of common folk, etc.
· The roof of these corridors are flat and supported with beautifully carved stone columns.
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Intricately Carved Pollars, Sculptures, Chain & Bell images, Horse - mounted Warriors Mystical figures etc. of erstwhile Temples
Comparing the architectural similarities of chain & bell patterns, flat roof with decorated pillars etc., it may be assumed that the erstwhile temple complex at this location might be constructed during the period from c.975 to 1025 CE.
· Qutb Minar is believed to be the first grand structure in which red sandstone panels were used on large scale for decorative cladding and fascia. The 05- storey minar with a total height of 72.55 m, are having intricately carved balconies at all levels.
· The entrance door at ground level is located on the North face while doors at balconies level for upper storeys are on the West face.
· By closely watching the panels on the exterior of Qutb Minar, the patterns depicting array of chain & bells along with flowers, flower buds, diamond shape carvings etc. can be seen all around.
· The lofty arch –shaped stone screen with highly decorated panels on facade of Quwwat –ul-Islam mosque are very articulated & impressive.
Colossal Screen with Intricate Carvings
· An Iron Pillar embedded inside the courtyard is 7.20m tall which is nearly 1/10th of the height of Qutb Minar. A deep hole on the top of the pillar indicates that an image of ‘Garuda’ (carrier of Lord Vishnu) might have been placed at the top. It is believed that the iron pillar might have been of 4th or 5th century, but has not rusted and standing proudly without any sign of decay. It indicate the artisans of that time were having high degree of expertise in metallurgy.
IRON PILLAR
(2) Engineering Aspects
· As Qutb Minar has survived for more than 800 years withstanding the several earthquakes, severe storms, weathering effect due to rainfall, heat & wind, it’s designers must have taken into account all the factors in its structural designing. The foundation for such a lofty & slender minar (tower) must have been designed with sound engineering practices and constructed with utmost precision & perfection. As Delhi falls under the Seismic Zone – IV which is a high risk area, the designers must have considered the geo-technical (soil) aspects along with its bearing capacity, seismic load, wind load, self-weight of structure etc.
· As per various research papers , the foundation of Qutb Minar consists of
(i) 1.70m deep ashlar masonry having size 16.50 m x 16.50m and
(ii) 7.60m deep lime mortar rubble masonry layer having size 18.60m x 18.60m.
· The superstructure consists of a central solid cylindrical core (inner shaft) and 03-leaf external masonry wall connected with helical stairway (with 379 steps) from ground level to top level. The central core and outer shell are also connected by 27 Nos. ‘bracings’ composed by stone lintels having 0.40 x 0.40 sqm average cross-section. This configuration of structural members makes it very stable.
· Its diameter at base is 14.07 m which reduces to 3.13m at top with a total height of 72.55 m (or 238 feet). As the outer wall tapers towards inside, it makes Qutb Minar a safe & stable structure.
Magnificent Views of Qutb Minar
· The outer shell of Qutb Minar is made of 3 – leaf masonry wall.
(i) For the 01 to 03 storeys : External veneer (cladding) consists of Red & Buff coloured sandstone, Internal face is made of Quartzite ashlar.
(ii) For the 04 & 05 storeys : External veneer (cladding) consists of white marble stones and Internal face of Red Sandstone.
Infill between two faces are rubble masonry.
· The cross-sectional Plan are :
(i) For the 1st Storey – Alternate Semi-circular & Angular flutings
(ii) For the 2nd Storey – Semi-circular
(iii) For the 3rd Storey – Angular flutings
(iv) For the 4th Storey – Plain circular without
any projection
(v) For the 5th Storey – Plain circular without
any projection
These unique design of exterior for different storeys may be to improve the ‘shape factor’ of minar for better wind load management and for stability from overturning / toppling.
· The external wall of minar is also provided with 27 Nos. diffuse ventilation openings of varying sizes at different levels.
· Balcony with brackets & stone railing has been provided at each storey from 1 to 4, whereas the top storey is finished with a platform.
· The structural features of Qutb Minar indicates that all these 05 storeys along with proper foundation must have been constructed in one go and in a continuous process. As no lifting equipment, crane etc. were available in those period, well designed scaffolding of bamboo, wooden ballies, pulleys, ropes etc. might have been used to reach different levels of minar with men & materials to accomplish structural as well as finishing works. Due to lack of mechanized construction process, the overall construction period might have extended for 10 to 30 or more years across reign of different rulers. It also implies that any storey on an existing minar couldn’t be added / constructed at later stage if the foundation has not been properly designed to take the load of subsequent storeys.
· It is believed that during the reign of Iltutmish (c. 1211 to 1236 CE), some white marble panels with intricate carving have been used in his tomb located on the north – west corner of Qutb complex. It indicates that the 4th & 5th storeys of Qutb Minar (exterior of which having marble finishes) might have been constructed during the reign of Iltutmish.
· The space between outer corridor and Qutb Minar foundation is hardly 4 to 5 m. Presence of corridor in the close proximity of Qutb Minar indicates that minar might have been constructed well before the construction of this corridor.
Adjoining Monuments to Qutb Minar
1.Iltutmish’s Tomb
· Located on the north – west corner of complex, it was built by Iltutmish (reign from 1211 to 1236 CE) himself in 1235 CE.
· Mainly built using intricately carved red sandstone and white marble panels.
· Squinch arches have been provided.
IIltutmish's Tomb
2.Alai Darwaza
· Constructed by Aluddin Khalji (or Khilji) in c. 1311 CE.
· Impressive pattern by a mix of red sandstone & white marble on fascia and interior finishes have been provided.
· Entrance with horse-shoe shaped arches are very unique.
Alai Darwaza
3. Alai Minar
· Construction undertaken by Alauddin Khalji (reign 1296 to 1316 CE) with an ambitious plan to build another minar having double in size that of Qutb Minar. But it could be built up to 24.50m high only and thereafter it was abandoned.
· The exposed rubble masonry gives an idea of construction method used during that period.
Alai Minar
A Minar Similar to Qutb Minar
· During our tour to Daulatabad Fort located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar , Maharashtra, we saw a lofty tower resembling to the famed Qutb Minar.
· The 63 m high tower is known as ‘Chand Minar’ and was constructed in 1445 CE by Ala-ud-din Ahmad Shah of Bahmani kingdom.
· The 4 – storey tower is having beautiful balcony with brackets, intricate carvings and made of stone masonry with lime mortar.
Chand Minar
Extract
· Construction of Qutb Minar was a major shift from earlier monuments built of dressed & finely carved stone panels / pillars. For the first time Red sandstone with a blend of white marble panels were used on large scale. As both red sandstone and white marble are soft stone which can be easily carved, grooved and shaped in a pattern of arches, circle, chain & bells, petals, buds, flowers, animals, birds, and any artistic impression- made it a very popular building material for exterior cladding / fascia.
· It set a trend for construction of such high – rise structure. The height of Taj Mahal (243 feet high) is 5 feet higher than Qutb Minar (238 feet).
· Standing proudly under the sun for more than 800 years, indicates the sound engineering knowledge & practices of artisans / craftsmen of bygone era.
Due to its unique structure, Qutb Minar declared a World Heritage Site in year 1983 by UNESCO.
# Qutb Minar & adjoining monuments are the finest specimen of high level of planning and execution of an engineering project. Among this group of monuments, Qutb Minar is really a jewel in the crown & worth visiting.
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