The tower is made up of five distinct storeys, each
marked by a projecting balcony. Beautiful calligraphy
adorns its adjacent edifices. The first three storeys
of the tower are made of red sandstone, the fourth is
made of marble, while the fifth is made of sandstone
again. The Qutb Minar is covered with intricate carvings
and deeply inscribed verses from the Koran.
On the east, this monument faces the
Lal Quila (Red Fort) and has three gateways, four towers
and two minarets. The gateways in the north and south
are led by a fleet of steps. The main eastern entrance
remains closed on most days of the week and was perhaps
used by the Emperors.
The main prayer hall is used on most
days by worshippers and is made up of high cusped arches
and marble domes. On Fridays and other holy days the
courtyard is filled with devotees who come in for 'Namaaz'.
The cupboard in the North gate of the
mosque contains a collection of Muhammad's relics -
the Koran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the
prophet, his sandals and his footprint, embedded in
a marble slab, all of which are still preserved. |
