Alai Darwaza

Alai Darwaza

1. Alai Darwaza, one of the four gates to the Qutub complex housing Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque was built by Alauddin Khilji in 1311 AD. The other three gates were not completed because of Alauddin’s death.
2. The mosque was commissioned by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and partly expanded by Shamsuddin Altamash later. They were expanded further under the Khiljis.
3. Alai Darwaza was the first building to employ Islamic principles of construction and ornamentation.
4. The construction employed the first use of marble and red sandstone together.
5. It also became the first construction with a true dome i.e., dome built on principles of arcuate (curved or arched) architecture.
6. The gate is significant for the use of local symbols such as lotus buds used as decorative elements on its entrances.
7. The gate employed the use of traditional Turkish art for the very first time in India.

MCQ:

Consider the following statements:

1. Alai Darwaza was built by Alauddin Khilji.
2. Alai Darwaza is one of the four gates of the Qutub complex
3. The Qutub Minar and Iron pillar of Vikramaditya are present in the Qutub complex.

How many among the given options are correct?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Only 3
4. None

Ans: c) All 3 are correct statements.

Explanation:

Alai Darwaza, one of the four gates to the Qutub was built by Alauddin Khilji in 1311 AD. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.

Alai Darwaza is one of the four gates of the Qutub complex and the only completed gate of the complex as the other three were not completed due to Alauddin Khilji’s death. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

The Qutub complex consists of:

• Qutub Minar, the main minaret
• Alai Darwaza
• Quwat-ul Islam Mosque
• Iron Pillar of Vikramaditya
• Alai Minar
• Alauddin Khilji’s Tomb and Madarsa
• Tomb of Iltutmish

Hence, Statement 3 is also correct.