A soaring tower of early Muslim vintage, the Qutb Minar attracts many visitors from all across the world. Impressively ornate, its construction began in the 12th century and it was completed in the 13th century. Beautiful calligraphy adorns the adjacent edifices. The Minar rises over 230 feet and can be ascended by a circular stairway for a view that is breathtaking. The monument tapers from a 15-meter diameter base to just 2½ metres at the top.

The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone. The Qutb Minar is covered with intricate carvings and deeply inscribed verses from the Koran.

Work on the minar was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1199, celebrating the advent of Muslim dominance in Delhi, but the construction was completed by his successors. To Qutb-ud-din, the tower marked the eastern extremity of the Islamic faith, casting the shadow of God over east and west. It was also a minaret, from which the muezzin called the devout to prayer.

Today, this impressively ornate tower has a slight tilt, but has otherwise remained remarkably well preserved over the centuries.

Jama Masjid

Situated in the ancient town of Old Delhi, the Jama or Jami Masjid is the final architectural extravaganza of the Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan. This monument was built between 1644 and 1658 by five thousand artisans. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahanuma, or "mosque commanding view of the world", this magnificent structure stands on the Bho Jhala, one of the two hills of the old Mughal capital city of Shahjahanabad. On the east, this monument faces the Lal Quila (Red Fort) and has three gateways, four towers and two minarets. Constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble, the Jama Masjid is the largest and perhaps the most magnificent mosque in India.

Broad flights of steps lead up to the imposing gateways in the north and the south. The main eastern entrance, probably used by the emperors, remains closed on most days of the week. The main prayer hall on the west side, fronted by a series of high cusped arches and topped with marble domes, houses a niche in a wall that shelters the prayer leader. Worshippers use this hall on most days but on Fridays and other holy days, the courtyard is full of devotees offering namaaz.

Near the north gate of the mosque stands a cupboard containing a collection of Muhammad's relics - Korans written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprint, embedded in a marble slab.

Red Fort

The largest of Old Delhi's monuments is Lal Quila or Red Fort whose thick red sandstone walls, bulging with turrets and bastions, have withstood the vagaries of time and nature. The Lal Quila rises above a wide dry moat in the northeast corner of the original city of Shahjahanabad. Its walls extend from two kilometers and vary in height from 18 metres on the river side to 33 metres on the city side.

Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648. The fort contains all the expected trappings of the centre of Mughal government: halls of public and private audience, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the fort remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur, despite being attacked by the Persian Emperor Nadir Shah in 1739 and by the British soldiers during the war of independence in 1857.

Entrance to the fort is through the imposing Lahore Gate, which takes its name from the fact that it faces Lahore, now in Pakistan. This gate has a special significance for India since the first war of independence and important speeches have been made here by freedom fighters and national leaders of India.

The main entrance opens on to the Chatta Chowk, a covered street flanked with arched cells that used to house Delhi's most talented jewellers, carpet makers, weavers and goldsmiths. This arcade was also known as the Meena Bazaar, the shopping centre for the ladies of the court. Just beyond the Chhata Chowk is the heart of the fort called Naubat Khana or the Drum House. The musicians used to play for the emperor from the Naubat Khana and the arrival of princes and royalty was heralded from here.

The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of the common folks. His alcove in the wall was marble-paneled and was set with precious stones, many of which were looted after the mutiny of 1857. The Diwan-i-Khas is the hall of private audiences where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of marble and its centre-piece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the famous Persian couplet inscribed on its wall remind us of its former magnificence: "If on Earth be an Eden of bliss, it is this, it is this, none but this."

The other attractions within this monument are the Royal Baths or hammams, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjahan's private working area and the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. The Rang Mahal or the "Palace of Colours" housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses. This palace was crowned with gilded turrets, delicately painted and decorated with an intricate mosaic of mirrors, and a ceiling overlaid with gold and silver that was reflected in a central pool in the marble floor.

Even today, the Lal Quila is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal era and its magnificence leaves many wonder-struck and breathless. It is still a calm haven of peace which helps one to break away from the frantic pace of life outside the walls of the Fort and transports the visitor to another era of time.

Taj Mahal

Islamic architecture, in its purest form, is epitomized by the incomparable Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Work started on this monument in 1634 and continued for almost 22 years. Situated in the city of Agra on the banks of the Yamuna, the Taj is enclosed in a garden amidst fountains and ornamental trees. The walled complex includes two mosques and an imposing gateway. The tomb is encased in white marble which is decorated with flawless sculptures and inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy cut from precious gems. Below the dome, in a dimly lit chamber, lie the mortal remains of Shahjahan and his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, reminding the world of their undying love.

The silver light of the full moon shines upon the cool white dome of the Taj Mahal, softly glowing in the night air. The extreme magnificence and beauty of the Taj can be appreciated fully in the subtle moonlight. However, the radiance of dawn and the orange glow of sunset also illumine the splendor of this most beautiful monument of India. Even in the bright light of the day, this wonder of the world shines with an awe-inspiring loveliness.

Without doubt, the Taj Mahal ranks as amongst the most perfect buildings in the world, flawlessly proportionate, built entirely out of marble. Intended to be a commemoration of the memory of Shahjahan's beloved wife, in reality, it is his gift to the entire human race.