Delhi Heritage Trail : 30
Tomb of Iltutmish
The Tomb of Iltutmish the second Sultan of Delhi (1210-1235) was constructed in the year 1235. It is outside the Qunwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Qutub Complex. He was the second Sultan of the Slave dynasty founded by his father in law Qutbdin Aibak. He was originally from Turkey sold as a slave and bought by Aibak. He stabilized the Sultanate rule by his administrative improvements.
The Tomb is a compact square of 42 feet each side opening on three sides and closed on western side. The exterior of the Tomb is simple but the interior is fully decorated with rich patterns and Quranic verses inscribed interpersed on the walls. The Tomb has no roof perhaps originally also there should not be one in keeping with the belief that Tombsshould be open to Rain and dew to be blessed. Iltutmish completed the Qutub Minar started by his father in law Qutbudin Aibak. The 800 year old tomb is a mute witness to the growth of Islamic Sultanate and Moghul empires in India
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