Qutub Minar

About Qutb Minar:

• The Qutb Minar, is a minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Qutb Minar is a 73-metre tall tapering tower of five storeys, with a 14.3 metres base diameter and contains a spiral staircase steps.
• It was built as a Victory Tower, to celebrate the victory of Muhammad Ghori over the Rajput king, Prithviraj Chauhan, in 1192 AD, by his then viceroy, Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
• Aibak however, could only build the first storey and next three floors were added by his son-in-law and successor, Iltutmish.
• Additions and repairs were made during the period of Firoz Shah Tughlaq also.
• It stands just outside the Quwwatul mosque, and an Arabic inscription suggests that it might have been built to serve as a place for the muezzin, to call the faithfuls for namaz.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding Qutub Minar:
1.It was built as a Victory Tower, to celebrate the victory of Mahmud Ghazni.
2.It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question: B