Standing for over nine centuries, the Qutub Minar in Delhi remains one of the most iconic symbols of Muslim conquest and early Indo-Islamic architecture in India. Construction began in 1193 under Qutb-ud-din Aibak, following Sultan Muhammad Ghori’s victory over King Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192. Aibak oversaw the building of the first two stories, while his successor Iltutmish completed the third and fourth levels. The fifth story was added in 1386 by Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Located within the Qutub Complex in Mehrauli, about 14 kilometers south of central Delhi, the 72.5-meter-high tower is the tallest brick minaret in the world. The complex spans 100 acres and houses several historical structures, including the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Alai Minar, Alai Gate, and tombs of notable rulers. The red sandstone tower is adorned with intricate Quranic inscriptions, showcasing the artistic and cultural synthesis of the early Delhi Sultanate period.