Government of India
Iron Pillar
Keywords: Historical Monument
Iron Pillar
Description: The tapering 'Iron Pillar' situated in the centre of the courtyard of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is made up of 99% pure malleable iron. It represents one of the most outstanding metallurgical advancements of ancient India as it has not deteriorated much in it’s more than 1600 years of existence, despite consistently remaining exposed to the weathering agents. It is said that once it was fired upon but the cannon ball could only make a dent on it. It is a 7.20 meters tall solid shaft of which 93 cm is buried below the ground.
According to a 4th century CE Sanskrit inscription, this pillar was erected as a dhwaj (standard) of Vishnu on the Vishnupada hill in memory of a mighty king named Chandra identified with Chandragupta II (375-413 CE) of the Gupta dynasty. It was probably brought to its present location by Anangpal, the Tomar king credited with founding Delhi. Associated with this pillar, there is a popular belief that those who manage to encircle the pillar with their arms extending behind will have their wishes come true.
Source: Archaeological Survey of India
Type: Image
Received From: Archaeological Survey of India
| DC Field | Value |
| dc.coverage.spatial | Mehrauli, Delhi, India |
| dc.coverage.temporal | c. 375–413 C.E. |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-11-09T12:34:49Z |
| dc.date.available | 2021-11-09T12:34:49Z |
| dc.description | The tapering 'Iron Pillar' situated in the centre of the courtyard of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is made up of 99% pure malleable iron. It represents one of the most outstanding metallurgical advancements of ancient India as it has not deteriorated much in it’s more than 1600 years of existence, despite consistently remaining exposed to the weathering agents. It is said that once it was fired upon but the cannon ball could only make a dent on it. It is a 7.20 meters tall solid shaft of which 93 cm is buried below the ground. According to a 4th century CE Sanskrit inscription, this pillar was erected as a dhwaj (standard) of Vishnu on the Vishnupada hill in memory of a mighty king named Chandra identified with Chandragupta II (375-413 CE) of the Gupta dynasty. It was probably brought to its present location by Anangpal, the Tomar king credited with founding Delhi. Associated with this pillar, there is a popular belief that those who manage to encircle the pillar with their arms extending behind will have their wishes come true. |
| dc.source | Archaeological Survey of India |
| dc.format.mimetype | image/jpg |
| dc.subject | Historical Monument Iron Pillar |
| dc.type | Image |
| dc.format.medium | image |
| dc.format.material | Malleable Iron |
| DC Field | Value |
| dc.coverage.spatial | Mehrauli, Delhi, India |
| dc.coverage.temporal | c. 375–413 C.E. |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-11-09T12:34:49Z |
| dc.date.available | 2021-11-09T12:34:49Z |
| dc.description | The tapering 'Iron Pillar' situated in the centre of the courtyard of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is made up of 99% pure malleable iron. It represents one of the most outstanding metallurgical advancements of ancient India as it has not deteriorated much in it’s more than 1600 years of existence, despite consistently remaining exposed to the weathering agents. It is said that once it was fired upon but the cannon ball could only make a dent on it. It is a 7.20 meters tall solid shaft of which 93 cm is buried below the ground. According to a 4th century CE Sanskrit inscription, this pillar was erected as a dhwaj (standard) of Vishnu on the Vishnupada hill in memory of a mighty king named Chandra identified with Chandragupta II (375-413 CE) of the Gupta dynasty. It was probably brought to its present location by Anangpal, the Tomar king credited with founding Delhi. Associated with this pillar, there is a popular belief that those who manage to encircle the pillar with their arms extending behind will have their wishes come true. |
| dc.source | Archaeological Survey of India |
| dc.format.mimetype | image/jpg |
| dc.subject | Historical Monument Iron Pillar |
| dc.type | Image |
| dc.format.medium | image |
| dc.format.material | Malleable Iron |
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