Qutb Minar Monument

Address: Qutb Complex, Mehrauli, New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi, India

Website: https://asi.nic.in

Hours: Daily (generally daylight hours; commonly ~6:00am-6:00pm)

Admission: ASI ticket (typical ASI rates): INR 40 for Indian citizens, INR 600 for foreign nationals (subject to change)

Qutb Minar is a 12th-century minaret and surrounding archaeological complex in the Mehrauli neighbourhood of Delhi, India, with the tower rising to about 72.5 metres. It is a prominent example of early Indo-Islamic architecture and forms the centrepiece of the Qutb complex.

The tower’s five-storey tapering shaft, carved decorative bands and balconied projections are major visual highlights. The adjacent mosque courtyard contains the early Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and the near-corrosion-resistant Iron Pillar, notable for its antiquity.

Beyond the tower, the complex contains later gateways and incomplete projects such as the Alai Darwaza (1311 CE) and the base of the unfinished Alai Minar, giving visitors a compact view of several medieval phases of construction. Archaeological remains and carved stone fragments are displayed across the site.

Construction began under Qutb-ud-din Aibak in the late 12th century and continued under his successor Iltutmish, with later additions by Khalji and Tughlaq rulers. The complex evolved over the 12th to 14th centuries as a centre of early Sultanate architecture and later received additions and repairs in subsequent centuries.

The Qutb complex sits in Mehrauli in south Delhi, adjacent to modern urban areas and accessible from central Delhi. It is within the built-up zone of the National Capital Territory and served historically as a focal point in the medieval city.

• World Heritage status: Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex combines a 12th- to 14th-century minaret with early mosque architecture and later additions.

What to See#

• Qutb Minar: The main minaret rises in five tapering storeys topped by a cupola, built mainly of red sandstone with decorative fluting and carved bands of Arabic inscriptions.
• Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque: The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque is the oldest extant mosque in northern India and forms the courtyard complex around the minaret.
• Iron Pillar: The Iron Pillar stands within the complex and is notable for its near-corrosion-resistant composition; it is roughly 7.2 metres tall.
• Alai Darwaza: The Alai Darwaza is a 14th-century gateway built by Alauddin Khilji in 1311 CE and is distinguished by Islamic geometric ornamentation.
• Alai Minar (unfinished): The unfinished Alai Minar is an incomplete second tower project begun under Alauddin Khilji; only its base remains.

Qutb Minar is in the Mehrauli area of South Delhi - take the Delhi Metro Yellow Line to Qutub Minar metro station and then walk about 5-15 minutes to the archaeological complex. By road it lies roughly 15-20 km south of central New Delhi (Connaught Place); approach via Aurobindo Marg/Mehrauli road and there is paid parking nearby.

• Arrive at opening time to see Qutb Minar with far fewer people and cooler light for photos, then wander the complex clockwise to avoid meeting the main inbound flow.
• Use the Qutub complex main entrance near the Metro station and take a short walk into the complex rather than waiting in taxi drop-off lines; the nearby Qutub Metro stop is the easiest public-transit access.
• Spend time at the often-overlooked features inside the complex-the Iron Pillar and the Alai Darwaza/Alai Minar ruins-many visitors go straight to the tower and miss these important monuments and inscriptions.