New Delhi in New Delhi District, National Capital Territory of Delhi, India — भारत (South Asia)
Iron Pillar
Photographed by Shaw Zavoshy, January 17, 2020
1. Iron Pillar Marker
Inscription.
Iron Pillar. . In the courtyard of the Quwwat-Ul-Islam mosque this famous iron pillar is situated, which bears a Sanskrit inscription in Gupta Period Brahmi script, palaeographically assignable to the Fourth Century, a date wnich is also confirmed by the peculiar style of its Amalaka-capital. The inscription records that the pillar was set up as a standard (dhwaja) of god Vishnu on the hill known as Vishnupada, in the memory of mighty king. Named Chandra, who is now regarded as identical with Chandraguptai (375-413) of the imperial Gupta dynasty. A deep hole on the top of the pillar indicates that an additional member, perhaps an image of Garuda, was fitted into it to answer to its description as a standard of Vishnu.
The pillar has been brought here evidently from somewhere else, as no other relics of the fourth century are found at the site. There is a strong bardic tradition that it was brought here wherefrom, nobody knowns by Anangpal, the Tomar King who is credited with the founding of Delhi. The base of pillar is knobby, with small pieces of iron tying it to its foundations, and a lead sheet covers the portion concealed below the present floor-level. The total length of this slightly tapering shaft is 7.20 m, of which 93cm is buried below the ground. the metal of the pillar has been found to be almost pure malleable iron. Its portion below the ground shows some signs of rusting, but at a very slow rate. The manufacture of such a massive iron pillar, which has not deteriorated much during sixteen hundred years of its existence, is a standing testimony to the metallurgical skill of ancient Indians.
In the courtyard of the Quwwat-Ul-Islam mosque this famous iron pillar is situated, which bears a Sanskrit inscription in Gupta Period Brahmi script, palaeographically assignable to the Fourth Century, a date
wnich is also confirmed by the peculiar style of its Amalaka-capital. The inscription records that
the pillar was set up as a standard (dhwaja) of god Vishnu on the hill known as Vishnupada, in
the memory of mighty king. Named Chandra, who is now regarded as identical with
Chandraguptai (375-413) of the imperial Gupta dynasty. A deep hole on the top of the pillar
indicates that an additional member, perhaps an image of Garuda, was fitted into it to answer
to its description as a standard of Vishnu.
The pillar has been brought here evidently from somewhere else, as no other relics of the
fourth century are found at the site. There is a strong bardic tradition that it was brought here
wherefrom, nobody knowns by Anangpal, the Tomar King who is credited with the founding of
Delhi. The base of pillar is knobby, with small pieces of iron tying it to its foundations, and a lead sheet covers the portion concealed below the present floor-level.
The total length of this slightly tapering shaft is 7.20 m, of which 93cm is buried below the
ground. the metal of the pillar has been found to be almost pure malleable iron. Its portion
below the ground shows some signs of rusting, but at a very slow rate. The manufacture of such
a massive iron pillar, which has not deteriorated much during sixteen hundred years of its
existence, is a standing testimony to the metallurgical skill of ancient Indians.
Topics.
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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features.
Location. 28° 31.484′ N, 77° 11.101′ E. Marker is in New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi, in New Delhi District. It can be reached from Kalka Das Marg, Near Qutub Minar. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi 11000-30, India. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Asia, specifically in South Asia, in the Indian Subcontinent, on the Arabian Sea, on the Bay of Bengal, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Mughal Empire, Portuguese colonies, and a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Naubat Khana (approx. 15.6 kilometers away); Diwan-i-Khas (approx. 15.7 kilometers away).
Also see . . . 1. Iron pillar of Delhi (Wikipedia). "The iron pillar of Delhi is a structure 23 feet 8 inches (7.2 metres) high with 16 inches diameter that was constructed by a "King Chandra", probably Chandragupta II (reigned
Photographed by Shaw Zavoshy, January 17, 2020
2. Iron Pillar
The tops of the English (left) and Hindi (right, not photographed) versions of this marker are
visible here at the bottom of the picture.
c. 375-415 CE), and now stands in the Qutb complex at Mehrauli in Delhi, India. It is famous for the rust-resistant composition of the metals used in its construction. The pillar weighs over 3,000 kg (7,000 lb) and is thought to have been erected elsewhere, perhaps outside the Udayagiri Caves, and moved to its present location early in the Delhi Sultanate." (Submitted on January 29, 2020.)
2. Iron Pillar of Delhi (Atlas Obscura). "On first appearance it doesnt look like much–a 22 foot tall iron pillar, slowly rusting away in the middle of an empty square in Delhi, India. The surprise comes in learning its age, some 1600 years old, much older than one would expect for an iron column which, judging from other exposed iron, should have turned to a pile of dust long ago" (Submitted on January 29, 2020.)
circa 1905
3. Mayo Gate and Iron Pillar
Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,555 times since then and 250 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 29, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
