RAS question
Qutbuddin Aibak built which famous structure in Delhi?
Correct answer: (D) Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and began the Qutub Minar.
Qutbuddin Aibak built the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Delhi and laid the foundation of the Qutub Minar.
Explanation
Qutbuddin Aibak is linked with two key structures in the Qutb complex: he built the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and began the Qutub Minar. The Archaeological Survey of India account states that Qutbu'd-Din Aibak laid the foundation of the Minar in AD 1199 and raised its first storey, while his successor and son-in-law Shamsu'd-Din Iltutmish added three more storeys. The Archaeological Survey of India also identifies Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, north-east of the minar, as built by Aibak in AD 1198 and as the earliest extant mosque built by the Delhi Sultans. This is why the option combining Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque with the beginning of the Qutub Minar is the precise answer. The minar's height is given as 72.5 m.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Jama Masjid is not the structure attributed to Aibak in the Archaeological Survey of India account of the Qutb complex.
- (B) Red Fort is not connected with Aibak in the Archaeological Survey of India account, which links him with Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the start of the Qutub Minar.
- (C) Taj Mahal is outside the Aibak-linked structures named here, which are Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the foundation of the Qutub Minar.
Concept
This tests early Delhi Sultanate architecture, especially how rulers are linked to signature monuments. It recurs in RAS because medieval architecture questions often ask for precise ruler-monument associations rather than broad dynasty labels.