<H1>Survivor of ravages</H1>

Iron Pillar,Delhi

In the complex of Qutb Minar, Delhi, I felt a tryst with sublimate stories of history confined in the array of decrepit structures, the roofless colonnades and in remnants of nicely carved arches essence of sensational stories of history could be felt and enlivened many fascinating tales of bravery in my mind. Like a landmark or a juncture of history, where a sun down of Hindu rule and subsequent advent of Muslim rule in India were merged.

Iron Pillar,Delhi

In the Qutb Minar complex, Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque happened to be Rai Pithoda temple; an assemblage of twenty seven Hindu and Jain temples later ruined and renamed by Muslim rulers (Pritviraj Chauhan was also known as Rai Pithoda). Marks of destruction by the invaders were everywhere in the precincts of the complex but an upstanding iron pillar miraculously survived ravages of invasion, corrosion and pollution.

Iron, as we commonly see, when exposed in air get oxidized and thus result corrosion. As the scientists say some particles present in air are the main inducing agents for corrosion. The exceptional example of iron, where adverse components of weather could not erode its anti corrosive coating has been a cause of great curiosity to the world wide tourists’ as well as to the scientists and historians. Extensive research revealed due to high phosphorous content, the pillar sustained to withstand corrosion or other hazards of nature.

Metallurgical wonder, The Iron pillar,Delhi

Inscriptions in devnagri were engraved on the pillar. It was Gupta devnagri and the inscription elucidated, founder of Tomar dynasty Anang Pal, brought it from an unknown location, defined as Vishnupad Giri and placed it in Rai Pithoda temple. The inscriptions on Iron pillar insinuated that it was raised actually to accolade posthumously a Gupta king called Chandra. Chandra was presumably Chandragupta II of Gupta dynasty of fourth century A.D. The scientists of fourth century coated the iron with a protective film to prevent it from getting oxidised that sustained anti corrosive property notwithstanding the ravages of corrosion and pollution.