Скачать или смотреть IIT Kanpur solved India’s 1,600-Year-Old Rust-Proof Iron Pillar, mystery

Standing tall in Delhi’s Qutub Complex, the Iron Pillar of Mehrauli is one of the world’s greatest metallurgical wonders. Despite being over 1,600 years old and exposed to the elements, this ancient iron structure has remained rust-free, a feat that even modern metallurgy finds astonishing.

What Makes It Rust-Proof?
For years, scientists puzzled over how the pillar avoided corrosion. In 2003, researchers from IIT Kanpur finally cracked the mystery. Their study, published in Current Science, revealed that the iron used in the pillar has a unique high phosphorus (1%) and low sulfur & magnesium composition, unlike modern iron. Additionally, ancient Indian blacksmiths used a technique called ‘forge welding’, which preserved the high phosphorus content and helped form a protective layer of iron oxide, preventing rusting over centuries.

A Testament to Ancient Indian Metallurgy
The Iron Pillar is a stunning example of India’s advanced scientific knowledge in metallurgy during the Gupta period (4th century CE). It demonstrates the brilliance of Indian blacksmiths, who crafted an iron structure that continues to defy corrosion even today.

Fun Fact:
According to local legends, if a person stood with their back against the pillar and wrapped their arms around it, touching their fingers together, their wish would come true! However, to protect the monument, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has fenced it off.

This ancient wonder proves that India’s knowledge of metallurgy was far ahead of its time, and modern science is only now beginning to understand its secrets!

📜 Sources:

• Balasubramaniam, R. (2003). On the Corrosion Resistance of the Delhi Iron Pillar. Current Science, 85(11).
• IIT Kanpur Research Papers on the Delhi Iron Pillar.
• Archaeological Survey of India Reports.

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