In the compound of the famous Qutub Minar in Delhi stands a wonder the modern science even today is unable to fully decipher. A 23 feet long Iron Pillar perhaps constructed some 1500 years back stands tall as it was 1500 years back there is no effect of it being exposed to the nature’s vagaries. Iron as everyone knows certainly rusts but such is the class and quality of metallurgy employed in the construction of iron pillar that there is no sign of rusting even after elapse of such a long time. While coming on Delhi Tour you must plan for visiting the Qutub Minar where you can visit this Iron Pillar.

The pillar perhaps was brought to Delhi by the Tomara King Arangpal in eleventh century later as the construction of Qutub Minar was done it was installed in the premises, there are other versions of historians who claim it to be brought by Iltutmish from Vidisha as a war booty. The Sanskrit inscriptions on the pillar mention a king named Chandra it is assumed he is none other than the famous Chandra Gupta II (375 – 415 CE).

The inscriptions praise the king for his valour, it is said that the king is a devotee of Vishnu and the pillar is to be installed at a hill called Vishnu Pada. The iron pillar seems to be a victory post perhaps the iron pillar once was situated at Udaygiri as this place was an important centre of Vishnu worship during the era which conjures with the era of Chandra Gupta II. The iron pillar has many similarities with iron pillar excavated at Dhar. During your Golden Triangle Tour while visiting Qutub Minar you must not forget to take pictures of this Iron Pillar. The Pillar was taken as a trophy and was installed at the Qutub Minar complex.

Another small inscription mentions the name of the Tomara king Anangpal of the eleventh century. The iron pillar has another amazing feature it displays tell tale signs of a canon ball strike perhaps the same was dome to remove the top but the canon ball strike could not destroy the iron pillar, there is a small scare on the iron pillar which remands of the canon ball strike.