Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 81

..... was built by two rulers Qutbuddin Aybak and Iltutmish.

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the historical context and the rulers associated with the construction of major monuments

Correct Answer: B) Qutub Minar.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Civil Services

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The Qutub Minar is a significant historical monument located in Delhi, India. It is a towering structure that stands as a testament to the architectural and cultural heritage of the region. The construction of the Qutub Minar began under the rule of Qutbuddin Aybak, who was the first Sultan of Delhi and the founder of the Delhi Sultanate. However, Qutbuddin Aybak did not complete the construction of the minar; it was his successor, Iltutmish, who continued and completed the project.

Qutbuddin Aybak, who ruled from 1206 to 1210, initiated the construction of the Qutub Minar as a symbol of the victory of Islam over Hinduism. The minar was intended to be a victory tower and a place from which the call to prayer could be made. However, he only managed to complete the first storey of the minar before his death. Iltutmish, who ruled from 1211 to 1236, continued the construction and added three more storeys to the minar. Later, in the 14th century, Firoz Shah Tughlaq added the fifth and final storey to the minar.

The Qutub Minar is not only a significant historical monument but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands at a height of 73 meters and is made of red sandstone and marble. The minar is adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions that reflect the architectural style of the time. It is an important landmark in Delhi and attracts a large number of visitors every year.

It is important to distinguish the Qutub Minar from other historical monuments in India, such as the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal, located in Agra, was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Agra Fort, also located in Agra, was primarily built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. These monuments, while significant in their own right, were not built by Qutbuddin Aybak and Iltutmish.

In summary, the Qutub Minar is a historical monument that was built by two rulers, Qutbuddin Aybak and Iltutmish, and it stands as a symbol of the early Indo-Islamic architectural style and the historical significance of the Delhi Sultanate.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Incorrect. The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, not by Qutbuddin Aybak and Iltutmish.
  • Option B: Correct. The Qutub Minar was initiated by Qutbuddin Aybak and completed by Iltutmish, making it the correct answer.
  • Option C: Incorrect. The Agra Fort was primarily built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, not by Qutbuddin Aybak and Iltutmish.
  • Option D: Incorrect. The Qutub Minar is a well-known monument built by the specified rulers, so "None of these" is not the correct answer.

Mnemonic: Q for Qutub Minar, Q for Qutbuddin Aybak, I for Iltutmish

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