---
title: Mehrauli Iron Pillar
author: pawan.kamrani
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11429/mehrauli-iron-pillar/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Mehrauli Iron Pillar

_Authored by pawan.kamrani_

## Image File

[![Mehrauli Iron Pillar](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11429.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11429.jpg)

## Image Caption

The Iron Pillar now seen at the Qutb Complex, New Delhi, [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/), was originally erected during the time of King Chandra and bears his inscription in [Sanskrit](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sanskrit/). This king has been identified with Emperor [Chandragupta II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chandragupta_II/) (c. 375 - 413/14 CE) of the [Gupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/gupta/) dynasty. The Pillar is famous for its non-rusted state, despite being made of 99% iron, and having been constructed in the 5th century CE, and thus having an existence of around 1600 years. It is believed to have had the emblem of the mythical bird [Garuda](https://www.worldhistory.org/Garuda/), the symbol of the Guptas, at the top, but is now missing. The fluted bell capital is characteristic of the [Gupta architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta_Architecture/). The total length of the pillar is 7.2 metres, of which 93 cm is buried underground. The pillar is believed to have been brought from somewhere else by a king of Delhi in the late ancient or early medieval period.

## Cite This Work

### APA
pawan.kamrani. (2019, November 01). Mehrauli Iron Pillar. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11429/mehrauli-iron-pillar/>
### Chicago
pawan.kamrani. "Mehrauli Iron Pillar." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 01, 2019. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11429/mehrauli-iron-pillar/>.
### MLA
pawan.kamrani. "Mehrauli Iron Pillar." *World History Encyclopedia*, 01 Nov 2019, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11429/mehrauli-iron-pillar/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iron_Pillar_of_Delhi-Q543419N_-Mehrauli_-Delhi_-DL-161.jpg) by [**pawan.kamrani**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iron_Pillar_of_Delhi-Q543419N_-Mehrauli_-Delhi_-DL-161.jpg). Submitted by [Dr Avantika Lal](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/avantika.lal30/ "User Page: Dr Avantika Lal"), published on 01 November 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.