Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan Berber Muslim scholar and explorer who is widely recognized for his extensive travels. Born in 1304 in Tangier, Morocco, he is considered one of the greatest travelers of all time. His journeys spanned nearly three decades, covering about 120,000 kilometers (75,000 miles) across North Africa, the Horn of Africa, West Africa, the Middle East, India, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and China. This was an extraordinary feat, especially considering the time period and the modes of travel available.
During his travels, Ibn Battuta visited the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Delhi, India. In his travel memoirs, "Rihla" (The Journey), he describes various structures and aspects of the places he visited. The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, part of the Qutb complex, is notable for its intricate architecture and historical significance. It was the first mosque built in Delhi after the Islamic conquest of India and is known for its unique blend of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles.
One of the most famous structures within the Qutb complex, which Ibn Battuta might have referred to in his memoirs, is the Qutb Minar. This is a towering minaret made of red sandstone and marble, standing at a height of 72.5 meters (237.8 feet). It's an iconic symbol of Islamic architectural prowess in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, it's essential to note that Ibn Battuta's descriptions in "Rihla" cover a wide range of observations, and he might have mentioned other elements of the mosque as well.