Iron in Ancient India c6.s6.7

c6.s6.7

One end of the largest piece, which was originally the base, is bulbuous like the base of the Delhi pillar, about 20 inches having been imbedded in stone which in turn is fastened within iron bars. A fourth piece seems to be missing, as judged from the proportions of the square and octagonal sections, so that the original total height of the pillar was something like 50 feet. The pillar holds on one of its surface Akbar's Persian inscriptions, while Devnagri letters of the 14th century are chiselled here and there. Several small holes, measuring from 1½ inches to 3 inches, surround the pillar, but they are not equidistant from each other. The weight of the pillar is estimated to be 7 tons, one ton greater than the weight of the Delhi pillar.