The Qutb Minar is a minaret and “victory tower” that forms part of the Qutb Complex. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Qutb Minar was 73 meters (239.5) feet tall before the final, fifth section was added after 1369 The tower has a base diameter of 14.3 metres (47 feet), tapering to 2.7 metres (9 feet) at the top. It has spiral staircase of 379 steps which are now closed and entry to inside the minaret is closed for the general public due to an accident way back in 1981.

The history goes as below:

Qutb Minar was built and completed by several Mughal successors. Construction of first floor was started by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1199. First level has inscriptions praising Muhammad Ghori.  Further three storeys were completed by Aibak’s successor and son-in-law Shamuddin Iltutmish. In 1369, a lightning strike destroyed the top storey. Firoz Shah Tughlaq replaced the damaged storey, and added one more. Sher Shah Suri also added an entrance to this tower while he was ruling.

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