Qutb Minar…

While in India last week to speak at a conference on Sufism in India and Central Asia, I had the opportunity to visit Qutb Minar–an enormous red sandstone minaret, decorated with beautifully carved Qur’anic inscriptions. This impressive 12th century minaret was commissioned by Qutb ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim Sultan of Delhi, and finished by his successor, Iltutmish​​. In the past, ​visitors​ could climb to the top of the minaret’s 7 story staircase–but in 1981, 45 people ​died when the electricity in the stairwell went out and caused a stampede. Due to this incident (and previous suicides from the tower), the interior of this minaret remains closed. Though admiring this stunning minaret from all angles was entertaining, ​I especially enjoyed wandering through the ​crumbling ​medieval ruins scattered around ​its base​​. If you travel to India, don’t miss this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site​…​