Delhi iron pillar - Not damaged after 1,600 years

Standing in the mosque complex pages Quwwatul, India, Delhi iron pillar which is made in the 4th century was one of the most mysterious monuments in India. More than 1,600 years after its establishment, an iron pillar is not damaged by time.The pillar is often regarded as evidence of the rapid advancement of technology in ancient India. At present, with all the technology we have, it is said that only four companies capable of welding ferrous iron pillar of Delhi's character pillars..

This pillar has a height of 7.21 meters. Of 7.21 meters, 93 cm embedded in the ground. 41 cm in diameter and 29 cm at the foot of the peak. It weighs an estimated 6.5 tons. Work on pillars so perfectly so that the top of the pillar is often mistaken for bronze. 

98 percent of the pillar is made from superior quality raw iron. In contrast to other iron artifacts are usually made using a mold, these pillars are made with forged using a hammer. This is evident from forging marks on its surface. 

According to the evidence found, the pillars were at first not located at its present location, but has been moved from elsewhere. This is also supported by evidence of the absence of other relics of the 4th century which can be found in the vicinity. According to local belief, the pillars were brought to Delhi by Anangpal, Tomar king who contributed in building the city of Delhi in 1020 ADOn the surface of the pillar, we can find the inscription which states that the pillar was originally located in an area called Vishnupadagiri, which means "hill with footprint Lord Vishnu".





This region was later identified as the Udayagiri, a town located 50 km east of Bhopal in central India. 

These pillars are not too attracted the attention of scientists until the mid-19th century when the western world to hear. The first report on the pillars of this comes from a British soldier named Captain Archer. He said that there was a pillar with strange inscriptions on its surface that can not be interpreted by anyone. 

Then, the inscription is attracting the attention of James Prinsep, a British archaeologist who later managed to solve it means in 1838 and publish the translation in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 

The inscription is called the pillar was made in honor of the god Vishnu. In addition, this inscription also wrote a tribute to a ruler named Chandra who conquered and Vahlika Vangas. Historians believe that Chandra mentioned Chandragupta II Vikramaditya here is (375-414 AD) derived from the Gupta dynasty. 

So, be aware that this pillar is actually a monument to commemorate the greatness of the god Vishnu and king Chandragupta. However, other than as a monument to honor, some researchers believe that this pillar also serves as a tool of ancient astronomy. 

 Vishnupadagiri, the initial location of this pillar, located in the constellation Cancer and is also a center of astronomical research in the Gupta period. This iron pillar may have functioned as a sundial when he was there. 

Then, how pillars can stand against the weather blows, even after 1600 years have passed?Some sources of iron pillar if the pillars are saying this is not rust, however, this remains true pillar rust, rust is not only to ruin it. It's quite remarkable for an iron that more than 1,600 years old. 

Several theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. These theories can be divided into two major parts, namely theory and the theory of the material environment. 

Environment theory based his argument on the location of the pillars, namely Delhi. 

Delhi's climate is very dry. Iron will only experience a severe rust if moisture exceeds a critical value of 80%. 

In Delhi, humidity exceeds a critical value of 80% only occur about 20 days a year. So even on rainfall ranges from 15-30 inches, the atmosphere in delhi does not support the occurrence of rust on iron. 

But, if this theory is correct, why the other irons in Delhi suffered damage due to rust? 

Therefore, the second theory, the theory of matter, trying to give an explanation. According to these theorists, the unique characteristics of this iron pillar emerging from the base material itself. 

In addition to a fairly pure iron levels, the researchers found that these pillars have high levels of phosphorus and low sulfur. This extraordinary combination resulted in a relatively resistant stainless steel. 

Then, some other researchers theorized that the large mass of iron which may have functioned as a counterweight to reduce the temperature of condensation of moisture. So, when the weather became cooler Delhi in the evening, the pillar remains warm. 

Then, a surprising discovery was reported from India metallurgical expert. 

In 2002, a team of metallurgical experts from Kanpur headed by Balasubramaniam Dr.R found a thin layer consisting of a mixture of iron, oxygen and hydrogen at pillars. 

This thin layer takes three years after the making of the pillars to really take shape. After 1,600 years, it only grew thicker layer of 1/20 millimeter. With a unique way, this layer has helped pillar is more free from the ravages of rust. 

If we assume that all of the above theory is true, then we can conclude by saying that, in addition to the temperature of the dry Delhi, this pillar is more resistant to rust because of:

 

    Purity iron
    Phosphorus levels are high
    Sulfur levels are low
    A large mass of iron pillar
    Thin layer surrounding the iron 

Then the next question is, how the ancient Indian blacksmith can create an outstanding combination of these? 

How they can make a thin layer of a mixture of iron, oxygen and hydrogen are formed after three years manufacture of iron? 

Do they have a technology unknown to modern man? 

This question can not be answered by researchers. 

However, for the skeptics, this question is very easy to answer. According to them, the ability of the iron pillar of Delhi is just a coincidence. In other words, they say that in some way, 5 above conditions have been met and the pillar was not rust.

 

They argue, if the technology was ancient Indian smiths so advanced, why only the Delhi iron pillar rust eaten that is not broken? 

Why not find many more columns or iron artifacts that are not damaged other rust eaten?

Mystery or not, Delhi iron pillar has attracted experts from around the world metallurgy. These artifacts are considered as the greatest achievement in the art of forging iron. 

In 1997, a fence installed around the pillar because of the frequent visitors to the destruction of the artifact. This is also because of the tradition that anyone who can stand back to the pillar behind her put his hands up to the meeting will have good luck. 

Now, these pillars are still standing in the courtyard complex Quwwatul and is regarded as one of the most puzzling artifacts in India.

(wikipedia, corrosion-doctors.org, indianrealist.wordpress.com)