What is the Qutub Minar in New Delhi and why is it significant?

The Qutub Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a towering landmark located in the Mehrauli area of New Delhi, India. It is a five-story tapering tower, built in the early 13th century by Qutub-ud-din Aibak and later completed by his successor Iltutmish. The tower is made of red sandstone and marble and is adorned with intricate carvings and verses from the Quran.

The Qutub Minar is significant because it is the tallest brick minaret in the world, standing at a height of 72.5 meters (237.8 feet). It is an excellent example of the Indo-Islamic architecture that emerged during the Delhi Sultanate period. The tower is surrounded by several other historic structures, including the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, which is one of the oldest mosques in India and was built using materials from demolished Hindu and Jain temples.

The Qutub Minar has been the site of several incidents over the years, including a lightning strike in 1981 that damaged the top two floors of the tower. In response, the Indian government undertook restoration efforts to repair the damage and strengthen the tower's foundation to prevent future collapses.