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There is a door on the northern side, leading inside the tower to a spiral stairway with 379 steps that winds its way up to the balcony in each floor and culminating in a platform at the top. The intricate balconies held together by stalactite vaulting technique and patterned with honey combing is a special feature of the minar. The minar has survived a series of lightening bolts and earthquakes during the past centuries.

After the first lighting strike way back in AD1368 knocking off the top storey and two floors replaced instead, by Firoz Shah Tuglaq, inscriptions indicate that further repairs were done by Sultan Sikander Lodi in 1503. Later in 1803, the cupola on the top was thrown down and the whole pillar was seriously injured by an earthquake. It was repaired by Major R. Smith of the Royal Engineers who restored the Qutub Minar in 1829 replacing the cupola with a Bengal style chhattri.

The chhattri was removed in 1848, by the Viceroy Lord Hardinge as it was criticized as not keeping in with the architectural style of the rest of the minar. Now it stands to the left of the entry path and is known as Smith's folly.

Attractions

Quwwatu'l-Islam Mosque
Quwwatu'l-Islam Mosque is located very close to the tower and one of the most magnificent mosque in the world. It is one of the earliest mosque built by the Delhi Sultans and the first mosque in India. This mosque was built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in 1198 AD. The main mosque comprises of an inner and outer courtyard. The inner courtyard is surrounded by an exquisite colonnade enclosed by cloisters, erected with the carved columns. It was supposed to have been built using the materials and masonry of the remains of 27 Hindu and Jain Temples. A lofty arched screen was erected and the mosque was enlarged by Iltutmish and Ala-ud-Din Khalji. Alai Darwaza, the southern gateway of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque was constructed by Ala-ud-Din Khalji in 1311 AD. The gateway is the example of the use of horseshoe arch and true dome for the first time. This is the first building, which employed Islamic principles of construction and ornamentation.
Iron Pillar
ithin the mosque complex stands the famous Ashoka Iron Pillar, which belongs to 4th century AD. This pillar bears a Sanskrit inscription in Gupta script. This inscription states that the pillar was set up as a flagstaff in the honour of god Vishnu and in the memory of a mighty king, Chandragupta II. A deep hole on the top of the pillar indicates that an additional member, perhaps an image of 'Garuda', was fitted into it to answer to its description as a standard of Vishnu. This pillar was brought here from somewhere else, as no other relics of the 4th century were found at the site. The pillar also highlights ancient India’s achievements in metallurgy. The pillar is made of 98 per cent wrought iron and has remained rust free for about 1600 years. According to local belief if you stand with your back to the pillar and hold your arms around it, your wish will be granted.

How to reach

By Air
One can easily reach Delhi by Air route, as Delhi is connected to all major cities of India and World.
By Rail
Delhi is well connected to all the parts of India by the railways tracks. One can easily reach from any part of India by railways.
By Road
The people staying near to Delhi can easily reach Delhi by the road, as Delhi has well-defined roads.