Qutb Minar, Delhi : The 13 th century red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high, tapering from 2.75 m in diameter at its peak to 14.32 m at its base. The founde of the slave dynasty, Qutb ud din Aibak started the construction of this huge tower but unfortunately didnot live to complete it. The sultan's successor and son in law, Altmash, complete it.

The surrounding archelogical area contains funeral buildings, notably the magnificent Alai Darwaza, the masterpiece of Indo - Muslim art built in 1311, and two mosques including, Quwwat ul Islam, the oldest in Northern India. The tower has striking carvings and is inscribed with verses from the Holy Koran. Qutb Minar is still the highest stone tower in India and is the recognised landmark of Delhi. Aibak began building this mosque in 1192 and was completed in 1198 by using the stones of the 27 Hindu and Jain temples demolished here.