The Iron Pillar of Delhi is one of the most mysterious and fascinating metallurgical wonders in history. It stands in the Qutub Minar complex in India and is estimated to be over 1,600 years old. Despite being exposed to rain, heat, and pollution for centuries, it has barely rusted-a phenomenon that puzzled scientists for decades.
The Origins of the Pillar
Historians believe the pillar was originally erected in Udayagiri (modern-day Madhya Pradesh) during the reign of Chandragupta II (375–415 CE) of the Gupta Empire, one of India's most scientifically advanced periods. The pillar was later moved to its current location in Delhi, possibly by a 10th-century ruler.
The Rust-Proof Mystery
For centuries, people wondered why the pillar had not corroded like other iron structures. In the early 20th century, metallurgists studied it and discovered that the secret lay in its unique iron composition and protective surface coating.
Unlike modern iron, the pillar has a high phosphorus content but lacks sulfur and manganese. Over time, this created a thin, protective layer of misawite (a compound of iron, oxygen, and hydrogen) that prevents moisture and oxygen from reaching the metal underneath. This process, called passivation, is similar to how stainless steel resists rust.
Did It Inspire Stainless Steel?
Though the Iron Pillar itself was not the direct inspiration for stainless steel, it demonstrated that iron could be made resistant to rust naturally-something metallurgists in the 19th and 20th centuries sought to replicate. Some researchers believe that ancient Indian metallurgists understood these principles long before the modern age, using advanced smelting techniques that we only recently began to appreciate.
A Tourist Attraction and a Myth
For many years, a legend said that if someone could encircle the pillar with their arms while standing with their back against it, they would have good luck. This led to thousands of people trying, and eventually, the practice was banned to protect the monument from wear and tear!
DSM haven't been around for 1,600 years but we have been around since 1966 providing bespoke stainless steel solutions, initially in for the form of catering furniture to bars and restaurants, and sanitary products to hospitals, football clubs and local councils. As Bob Hope once said, "You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake."
Image:
Excelsior, processed in Saxony(in stamp box), pub. M.L. Shugan Chand, Indian Art Museum, Delhi. Masjid Kovat-ut-Islam. Built by Kuttbuddin Ibak in 1200 A.D//IN 895 B.C. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.