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The Qutab Minar and its Monuments The Qutab complex is an array of monuments and buildings at Mehrauli in Delhi, India. The most famous monument situated in the complex is the Qutab Minar, others including the Quwwat ul-Islam Mosque, the Alai Gate, the Alai Minar and the Iron Pillar.The Alai Gate or Alai-Darwaza is the main gateway in the complex and is decorated with red sandstone and inlaid marble decorations, latticed stone screens and serve as an entrance to the quw’at’ul Islam mosque and adds grace to the mosque with its pointed arches. The Quwwatu'l-Islam mosque also known as Qutb Mosque consists of a courtyard, cloisters, and a prayer hall. The high arched screen facing the prayer hall was added in the 14th century. It was built by Qutb-ud-din Aybak Alai Minar was started by Ala-ud-din Khilji which was conceived to be two times higher than Qutub Minar. The construction was abandoned, however, after the completion of the 24.5 meter high first storey; soon after death of Ala-ud-din. The first story of the Alai Minar still stands today. The Qutb Minar is a column built of red and buff sandstone blocks rising to a height of 72.5 m, tapering from 2.75 m diameter at the top to 14.32 m at the base, making it the highest stone tower in India. In addition to its traditional use for calling the faithful to prayer, it also has a monumental purpose, since a later Nagari inscription calls it Alauld-Din's "victory monument" (Viiava-stambha). In its present form, it consists of five storeys, the topmost of the original four storeys having been replaced by two storeys. The whole structure was originally surmounted by a cupola, which fell during an earthquake and was replaced by a new cupola in late Mughal style in the early 19th century. This was so incongruous that it was removed in 1848 and now stands on the lawns to the south-east of the minaret. The Iron Pillar is the largest known composite iron object from early period and world’s foremost metallurgical curiosities. The pillar is almost 7meters in length and weighing more than 6 tonnes. A fence was erected around the pillar due to the popularity of a tradition that considered it good luck if you could stand with your back to the pillar and make your hands meet behind it. World Heritage Site IndiaAgra Fort | Ajanta Caves | Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi | Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Churches and Convents of Goa| The Elephant Caves | Ellora Caves | Fatehpur Sikri | Great Living Chola TemplesGroup of Monuments at Hampi | Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram | Group of Monuments at Pattadakal | Humanyun’s Tomb, Delhi | Khajuraho Group of Monuments | Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya | Mountain Railways of India The Qutab Minar and its Monuments | Red Fort Complex | Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Sun Temple, Konârak | Taj Mahal, Agra | Natural |