Monday, March 12, 2012

Iron Pillar, Delhi

Iron Pillar at Qutb Complex of Delhi is one of the most interesting structure other than Qutb Minar. This is 7.3 m tall of which one meter is below the ground. It is at the foot 48 cms in diameter and 29 cms tapering at the top. The pillar weighs approximately 6.5 tonnes.

This pillar dates back to 4th century A.D. The pillar is made of 98% of pure iron. In-spite of such high proportion of iron, it is 100% corrosion resistant even after 1600 years. This feat clearly shows great technological achievements of the ancient Indians.


There are Sanskrit inscription in the Brahmi script on the pillar that states it was erected as a flagstaff in honor of the Hindu god, Vishnu, and in the memory of the Gupta King Chandragupta II. It is not clear how and when the pillar has been moved from Udaygiri to its present location.

47 comments:

Kavita Saharia said...

A marvel in itself ! Thanks for sharing this .

Cloudia said...

amazing!


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Teamgsquare said...

One wonder beyond science and technology ....

My Unfinished Life said...

aah!!...have been here so many times.....

http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/

Pat said...

Amazing that something so relatively small is so heavy. I have visited this complex, and the Qutb Minar tower is breathtaking.

Lowell said...

It is a pillar testifying to the technological achievements of Indians! I would never question those achievements. Your blog has provided numerous testimony backing up those achievements.

SM said...

nice pic
informative post

joo said...

It's incredible! Hard to imagine something so old!

Jeevan said...

Seems like a very strong pillar ever erected! Stunningly strong!

Hari Narayana said...

There is a belief associated with it as well that one cannot stand back towards the pillar and hold hands turned back..

Sylvia K said...

Amazing pillar and fascination history, Rajesh!! Wonderful capture for the day! Have a great week!

Sylvia

Carver said...

Interesting information and shot.

Unknown said...

Some and their engineering capabilities in buiding the structure!! Great post. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

It is unimaginable how much they knew back so very very long ago. And I also can't imagine how they moved it.

Snap said...

Wow! Amazing pillar!

Al said...

I would never have guessed an iron column that old would have survived, that does indeed say a lot about their technological achievements!

Kay L. Davies said...

Amazing information, Rajesh. It was a long, long time after that before Europe reached the Iron Age.
K

genie said...

What a phenomenal structure. It is so hard to believe how people could build something like this so many, many years ago. I am amazed that it is made mostly of iron. What a spectacular pillar. genie

Ebie said...

That's a well built pillar and guaranteed corrosion free! Such great history!

momto8 said...

oh how i would love to be there in person. thank you for this picture and information.
I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

Indrani said...

Fantastic framing.

Leovi said...

Beautiful colors and shapes to enjoy art. beautiful picture of these beautiful bows. Greetings.

Gattina said...

Wow that's amazing no corrosion after so many years !

Anonymous said...

Wonderful framing of the pillar!

alicesg said...

Wow fantastic about the pillar being corrosion resistant after more than a thousand year.

anthonynorth said...

A long lasting miracle of engineering.

Carver said...

I like the shape of the arches a lot. Carver, ABC Wednesday Team

photowannabe said...

What an amazing marvel of ancient times.
I never heard of a pillar of iron before.

EG CameraGirl said...

I like the shape of the arches very much.

Roger Owen Green said...

I linked to your blog today!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

LindyLouMac said...

Calling by as another Our World Tuesday participant, an impressive archway, like your composition.

Ann said...

Brilliant architecture is for sure. Lovely shots.
ann

Anonymous said...

Incredible India! and Interesting post :)

George said...

It's amazing that an iron pillar that old has no corrosion. Thanks for sharing this wonder with us.

Annie said...

What an incredible structure. It's amazing to think about something like that being built so long ago.

Jama said...

Incredible structure!

P.N. Subramanian said...

Its really amazing. Nice shot as well. I understand that a study of the composition of the metal was undertaken by IIT, Kanpur quite some years ago and they came out with some reasoning. May be you can Google it out.

Eden said...

Impressive! Great shot.

Unknown said...

nice click..BTW i stay v close to the minar,its visible from my roof top :)

Joy said...

Intriguing, and amazing it is still in one place with the passing of the centuries.

Pietro Brosio said...

Incredible structure: great resistance indeed, after 1600 years.
Nice image, Rajesh.

Unknown said...

lovely archs...with an informative post.

-r1-

Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciating this ancient wonder.

Vetirmagal said...

Very nice picture of the famous monument!

TTT said...

Marvelous !

Unknown said...

Mind blowing...Ancient Indians were much more technologically advanced compared to the advancement we have nowadays and Iron pillar is one of the fine illustration of it...!!!

Panchali said...

wonderful frame....