Iron Pillar

Vital Information for Visitors

Address:

Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi 110030

Open & Close:

Open on all days : From 07:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Entry Fees:

Foreigner – INR 250 Per person
Indian – INR 10 per person

Duration:

Approx 1 Hour

Amidst the ruins of the mosque in the Qutub Minar complex stands a mysterious pillar made of iron. Sir Alexander Cunningham (1814-93), the first Archaeological Surveyer to the Government of India, wrote, "The Iron Pillar of Delhi is one of the most curious monuments of India. Many large works of metal were no doubt made in ancient times, for instance, the celebrated Colossus of Rhodes and the gigantic statues of the Buddhists which are described by Hiuen Tsang. But all of them were of brass and copper, all of them were hollow, all of them were built of pieces welded together, whereas the Delhi pillar is a solid shaft of mixed metal."

Experts have described the pillar as being even more wonderful than the great Minar. "It opens our eyes to an unsuspected state of affairs to find the Hindus at this age capable of forging a bar of iron larger than any that has been forged in Europe up to a very late date," says one.

Historians fix the age of the pillar as over 1,600 years. From an inscription it seems to have been made by King Chandra Barman who ruled during the Gupta period. Centuries of exposure to the elements have not rusted the pillar.