The Mysterious Case of the Iron Pillar at Mehrauli

One must have surely come across the Iron Pillar while visiting the Qutb Minar complex but did you know that it was not originally erected at this place? Yes, its origin has got a complex history of its own that historians are still figuring out. There's more to it than just its anti-corrosive properties.

An old image of the Iron Pillar or the Vishnupada; Image source: Wikisource

Standing 23 feet 8 inches tall, right in the middle of the Qutb Minar complex, the Iron Pillar, or the Vishnupada, as they popularly call it, is ought to catch the attention of tourists visiting the place. This Iron Pillar at Mehrauli has stood the test of time through several dynasties of rulers. Be it the Delhi Sultans, the Mughals, or even the British, it has remained intact.

The most astonishing feature of the pillar is its corrosion resistance property. It is still a matter of wonder for metallurgical scientists and definitely an evidence of Indian metallurgical advancement. In fact, this is what makes this monument a thing of fascination among visitors.

The Iron Pillar is adorned with an inverted lotus at the top as its capital, followed by three amalakas(fluted discs) above it. It is also believed that it might have had a Garuda(eagle) image installed above the capital initially as the Garuda is the vehicle of Vishnu.

By now you must be wondering how the Vishnupada, a symbol of Hinduism made it to the Qutb Minar complex. Because the Qutb Minar complex and especially this part which is a mosque area i.e. the Quwwat al-Islam has nothing to do with Hindu iconography except for the Iron Pillar and the several columns brought from dilapidated Hindu and Jain temples of the time. And you will be surprised to know the various conjectures and theories that historians and scholars have come up with.

Though the Hindu and Jain columns have different stories associated with them, the one behind the Vishnupada is much more layered and hence more interesting.

The Brahmiinscription on the pillar speaks of king Chandra(most probably Chandragupta II) who got this pillar placed on the Vishnupada Hill as a mark of reverence to Lord Vishnu. Historian Upinder Singh is of the opinion that there is no such structure that can be identified as the Vishnupada Hill in the vicinity of Delhi and thus the idea of it being brought from elsewhere is more likely.

The most widely accepted theory is the one put forth by Balasubramaniam, an archeo-metallurgist. According to him, this pillar had been originally erected at the Udaygiri Caves, in modern-day Vidisha, in the state of Madhya Pradesh. In fact, he is so sure of this that he goes up to tell the exact location which would be near the Varaha Avatar of Vishnu, just outside Cave No. 5.

It is also associated with the Tomar Rajputs. They believe that the Killi or pillar in the killi-dhilli-katha in Prithviraja Raso refers to this very pillar.

Though the initial location of the pillar is highly debated, the re-installation story is quite straightforward. It was Qutbuddin Aibak who brought it to Rai Pithora from Lal Kot. And it was Iltutmish, his successor who got it re-installed in the Qutb Minarcomplex. For the Turks, it was primarily a mark of conquest that they wanted to flaunt.

So now you know that this seemingly simple pillar is not so simple at all. It has got a wide array of features and a complex history that has us wondering even today!