Editing Qutb Minar complex (section)

== Alai Darwaza ==
{{main|Alai Darwaza}}
[[File:Alai Darwaza - Qutub Minar Complex.jpg|left|thumb|Close up of the inscriptions on entrance arch, Alai Darwaza built by [[Alauddin Khalji]]]]
The Alai Darwaza is a main gateway from the southern side of the qutub.<ref>QutubMinarDelhi.com. [http://qutubminardelhi.com/alai-darwaza/ ""] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725182038/http://qutubminardelhi.com/alai-darwaza/ |date=25 July 2015 }} . Retrieved 5 August 2015.</ref> It was built by the second [[Khalji dynasty|Khalji]] [[Sultan of Delhi]], [[Ala-ud-din Khalji]] in 1311 AD, who also added a court to the pillared to the eastern side. The [[dome]]d gateway is decorated with red [[Rock (geology)|stone]] and inlaid white marble decorations, inscriptions in [[Naskh (script)|Naskh script]], latticed stone screens and showcases the remarkable craftsmanship of the Turkish artisans who worked on it. This is the first building in India to employ [[Islamic architecture]] principles in its construction and ornamentation.<ref name=gov />

The [[Mamluk dynasty (Delhi)|Slave dynasty]] did not employ true [[Islamic architecture]] styles and used [[false dome]]s and false arches. This makes the Alai Darwaza, the earliest example of first true arches and true domes in India.<ref>[http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_humayuntomb_char.asp World Heritage Sites – Humayun's Tomb: Characteristics of Indo-Islamic architecture] [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI).</ref> It is considered to be one of the most important buildings built in the [[Delhi sultanate]] period. With its pointed arches and spearhead of fringes, identified as lotus buds, it adds grace to the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque to which it served as an entrance.