Qutb Minar Audio Guide
Explore Qutb Minar with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
The Qutb Minar is a towering minaret and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Mehrauli area of Delhi, India. Built as a victory tower, it is a significant example of Indo-Islamic architecture.
What you will hear
Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque Courtyard
This area focuses on the earliest surviving mosque in India, highlighting the synthesis of Hindu and Islamic styles through the use of repurposed temple pillars.
Might of Islam Mosque Courtyard
This courtyard belongs to the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, the oldest surviving example of its kind in Delhi, built using stone salvaged from dozens of pre-existing local temples.
The Iron Pillar
A 4th-century metallurgical wonder that has resisted rust for over 1,600 years, standing as a testament to ancient Indian science in the center of the mosque courtyard.
Ancient Sanskrit Inscriptions
Deeply carved into the Iron Pillar, these ancient Sanskrit verses in Brahmi script recount the military triumphs of King Chandra, long before the Sultanate arrived.
Sacred Calligraphy & Artistry
This stop explores the horizontal bands of Arabic script and floral motifs, representing the fusion of Islamic theology and local craftsmanship.
The Calligrapher's Art
Circling the minaret's base are wide horizontal bands of Arabic calligraphy, where sacred verses and royal praises are intricately carved directly into the red stone.
Evolution of Materials & The Upper Stories
As the tower rises, the materials change. This area highlights the transition from red sandstone to white marble added by later rulers like Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
The Marble Stories
This close view of the tower's surface shows how calligraphy and geometric patterns replaced human figures as the primary form of decoration in Islamic architecture.
Alai Darwaza: The Southern Gate
Commissioned by Alauddin Khilji, this gateway features the first 'true' arches and domes in India, decorated with red sandstone and white marble inlay.
Alai Gate Interior
Built in 1311, the Alai Darwaza was a revolutionary structure, being the first in India to feature a true dome and arches with central keystones.
Want to hear the rest?
Download the Stanza app to unlock all 18 stops and full GPS-guided navigation.
Get the App