Iron Pillar - Qutb Complex, Delhi

Delhi, the capital city of India, is renowned for its rich array of monuments, boasting an impressive count of around 1300. Among these, Qutb Minar emerges as a prominent landmark that captures the fascination of visitors. Within the expansive Qutb Minar complex, besides the iconic Qutb Minar, numerous other historical treasures await exploration. This article delves into one such intriguing monument—the ancient Iron Pillar, a testament to the technological prowess of ancient Indians.

Iron Pillar: A Metallurgical Marvel

Standing tall at 7.2 meters, with a substantial portion buried 93 cm below the ground, the massive Iron Pillar occupies the courtyard of the Quwwatul-Islam mosque within the Qutb Minar complex. Initially serving as a flagstaff, known as dhwaja stambha, at a Vishnu temple—potentially associated with the modern-day Udayagiri caves in Madhya Pradesh—it later found its way to Delhi during the reign of the Gupta Emperor Chandragupta II Vikramaditya in the 4th century CE. Historical inscriptions suggest its origin from a Vishnu temple in the Vishnupada hills.

Despite the conversion of the temple areas into a mosque during the construction of Qutb Minar by the Slave dynasty, the Iron Pillar retained its place in the mosque's courtyard. Remarkably, over 1600 years later, this massive iron marvel displays minimal signs of deterioration, with only slight rusting observed at a slow rate below ground level. This enduring resilience stands as a compelling testament to the advanced metallurgical skills of ancient Indians.

A Witness to History

The Iron Pillar remains a silent witness to the ebbs and flows of Delhi's tumultuous history for over a millennium. In its enduring presence, it encapsulates the historical journey of the city, offering a unique perspective on the bygone eras.

Happy travelling.