The origins of Qutub Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer. No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world. Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutub Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement. His successor, Iltutmish, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey. The developments of architectural styles from Aibak to Tughlak are quite evident in the minar. The relief work and even the materials used for construction differ. The 238 feet Qutub Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets. Even in ruin, the Quwwat Ui Islam (Light of Islam) Mosque in the Qutub complex is one of the most magnificent in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak started its construction in 1193 and the mosque was completed in 1197. Iltutmish in 1230 and Alla-ud-din Khilji in 1315 made additions to the building. The main mosque comprises of an inner and outer courtyard, of which an exquisite colonnade, the pillars of which are made of richly, surrounds the inner decorated shafts. Most of these shafts are from the 27 Hindu temples, which were plundered to construct the mosque. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Muslim mosque has typical Hindu ornamentation. Close to the mosque is one of Delhi's most curious antiques, the Iron Pillar. Dating back to the 4th century AD, the pillar bears an inscription, which stated that it was erected as a flagstaff in honour of the Hindu god, Vishnu, and in the memory of the Gupta king Chandragupta II (375-413). How the pillar moved to its present location remains a mystery. The pillar also highlights ancient India's achievements in metallurgy. The pillar is made of 98 per cent wrought iron and has stood 1,600 years without rusting or decomposing.

Memorial of: Mirza Muquim Abul Mansur Khan Area: 300sq-m. Built in: 1753-54. After the death of Aurangzeb, the only significant structure raised was the Tomb of Safdarjung, who was the prime minister of Delhi under Muhammad Shah. Built in 1753-54, the tomb lies at the head of Lodi road. Described as the �last flicker in the lamp of Mughal architecture�, it is clearly decadent in style. Mehrauli village also has the Zafar Mahal, a summer place of the last Mughal. The memorial was built by Nawab Shufa-ud- Daulah who was the son of Murza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan popularly known as Safdarfung (1739-54) and later became his prime minister. The tomb is roughly on the plans of Humayun�s tomb, though much scaled down. It is set in the middle of an extensive garden, which spreads over an area of over 300sq-m. The garden itself is on the patter of the Mughal �Chaharbagh� style. In the center piling up with effortless arrogance is the massive gateway to the enclosure which rises to two levels. Inside there is the tomb, the courtyard and a mosque. On either side are beautiful pavilions known as �Moti Mahal� or pearl palace, �Jangli Mahal� or the sylvan palace and �Badshah Pasand� or the emperor�s favorite. The mausoleum built with red sandstone and buff stone is faced with marble and stand squarely in the middle of a garden. There are two graves here, one of Safdarjung and the other presumably his wife�s. the square central chamber of the mausoleum is surrounded by eight rooms all around. All the apartments, except the corner ones are rectangular in shape, the corner ones being octagonal. The dome of the tomb rises from a sixteen-sided base. The tomb has been criticized for its weakness in proportions hence a lack of balance in its make-up.