Construction of the Qutb Minar (1212)

Timeline

1. 1199–1210Qutb archaeological complex · DelhiQutb-ud-din Aibak built a mosque and minaret on the site of a demolished Hindu temple, completing the first story of the Qutb Minar. The tower used an eclectic cylindrical structure blending Central Asian and Indian craftsmanship, laying the foundation for later additions.
2. 1212Qutb archaeological complex · DelhiAfter accession, Iltutmish continued construction, adding three stories decorated with alternating bands of red sandstone and white marble. Each story's outer walls were carved with Quranic inscriptions and geometric patterns; the tower's height increased markedly, becoming a landmark of Delhi's skyline.
3. 1212Qutb archaeological complex · DelhiThe minaret, together with the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and the Alai Darwaza, formed a religious-political complex asserting the Islamic regime's symbolic possession of Delhi. The site underwent multiple repairs thereafter, but the additions around 1212 established its basic form and decorative style.