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A History of Agriculture in India v2.c62.s4: Transportation of Asoka Pillars to Delhi

A History of Agriculture in India v2.c62.s4

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English

Contents

Transportation of Asoka Pillars to Delhi

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The reign of Sultan Firoz is memorable for the installation of two Asoka pillars in Delhi. Neither the Sultan nor his subjects knew who was Asoka, nor what was inscribed on the pillars. They were thought to be the works of demons, and it was out of sheer curiosity that the Sultan transported them to Delhi. How were they discovered, and how they were brought to Delhi is thus described by Shams-i Siraj. 'After Sultan Firoz returned from his expedition against Thatta, he often made excursions in the neighbourhood of Delhi. In this part of the country there were two stone columns. One was in the village of Tobra, in the district (shikk) of Salaura and Khizra-bad, in the hills (koh-payah); the other in the vicinity of the town of Mirat. These columns had stood in those places from the days of the Pandavas, but had never attracted the attention of any of the kings who sat upon the throne of Delhi, till Sultan Firoz noticed them, and with great exertion, brought them away. One was erected in the palace (*kushk*) at Firozabad, near the *Masjid-i-jama’*, and was called the *Minara-i zarin*, or Golden Column, and the other was erected in the *Kushk-i Shikar*, or Hunting Palace, with great labour and skill. The author has read in the works of good historians that these columns of stone had been the walking sticks of the accursed Bhim, a man of great stature and size.’

Removal of the Minara-i Zarin

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Khizrabad is ninety *kos* from Delhi, in the vicinity of the hills. When the Sultan visited that district, and saw the column in the village of Tobra, he resolved to remove it to Delhi and there erect it as a memorial to future generations. After thinking over the best means of lowering the column, orders were issued commanding the attendance of all the people dwelling in the neighbourhood, within and without the doab, and all soldiers, both on horse and foot. They were ordered to bring all implements and materials suitable for the work. Directions were issued for bringing parcels of the cotton of the *sembal* (silk-cotton tree). Quantities of this silk cotton were placed round the columns, and when the earth at its base was removed, it fell gently over on the bed prepared for it. The cotton was then removed by degrees, and after some days the pillar lay safe upon the ground. When the foundations of the pillar were examined, a large square stone was found as a base, which also was taken out. The pillar was then encased from top to bottom in reeds and raw skins, so that no damage might accrue to it. A carriage with forty-two wheels was constructed, and ropes were attached to each wheel. Thousands of men hauled at every rope, and after great labour and difficulty the pillar was raised on to the carriage. A strong rope was fastened to each wheel, and 200 men pulled at each of these ropes. By the simultaneous exertions of so many thousand men the carriage was moved, and was brought to the banks of the Jumna. Here the Sultan came to meet it. A number of large boats had been collected, some of which could carry 5,000 and 7,000 *mans* of grain, and the least of them 2,000 *mans*. The column was very ingeniously transferred to these boats, and was then conducted to Firozabad, where it was landed and conveyed into the *Kushk* with infinite labour and skill.’²

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² Shams-i Shiraj ‘Afif. *Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi*, in Elliot and Dowson, *The History of India*.., Vol. III, pp. 350, 351

Cites (1)