Today we continued exploring Muslim architecture.

The Qutb Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Standing at 239 ft high, it has five distinct stories, each marked by a projecting balcony. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with surrounding buildings and monuments. Its construction also marked the beginning of Muslim rule in India.

It’s a part of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque (might of Islam) (also known as the Qutub Mosque or the Great Mosque of Delhi). It was the first mosque built in Delhi after the Islamic conquest of India and the oldest surviving example of Ghurids architecture in the Indian subcontinent.

The iron pillar is one of the world’s foremost metallurgical curiosities. The pillar bears an inscription in Sanskrit in Brahmi script dating to the 4th century AD.

By the way… wherever we traveled throughout India, Janice was somewhat of a curiosity (being blond) who attracted many spectators; some of whom clandestinely (or quite openly) asked to take her picture!

In the following picture, a young bride had her husband secretly snap a picture of Janice as she was walking down a flight of steps. When Janice questioned her about taking her picture she gave an excited thumbs up. Janice gave her a beaming smile of approval. The young bride was so elated! Here she is:

Sekhar drove us to see Old and New Delhi, including the capitol area of India. Incredibly, Delhi has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC. Through most of its history, Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires. It has been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval period.