New Delhi, Mar 13: The Delhi iron pillar, which has withstood corrosion for over 1,600 years, continues to attract the attention of archaeologists and scientists who want to undertake a systematic study to unfold the secret behind its strength.
A panel of scientists from across the country has recommended that the government allow research on the pillar, a symbol of Indian metallurgical excellence, to ascertain its age, as well as for conservation of its underground part and the passive film that has preserved it through the ages.
"The Archaeological Survey of india has agreed to allow the use of well-established non-invasive techniques to ascertain as to when was the pillar built and its material
aspects. But the efficacy of the techniques should be established by testing other ancient iron objects such as iron pillar at Dhar and iron beams at Konark," Director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Dr Baldev Raj, who was a member of the panel that made the recommendations, said.
The panel had gathered here to review the status of scientific research on the pillar and make recommendations to the government to initiate systematic scientific studies to gain more information about it.
Earlier studies, beginning in 1961, have thrown some light on the composition and the microstructure of the "rustless wonder", but difference versions exist on the scientific dating of the pillar, Professor R Balasubramaniam, a scientist at IIT Kanpur who has conducted extensive research on the pillar, said.
Balasubramaniam has written a comprehensive book titled 'Delhi iron pillar: new insights' which claims that the pillar was built during the reign of Chandragupta ii Vikramaditya (380 to 414 ad) using the 'forge welding' technique, that is still not understood by many experts.
The author has covered the pillar's dimensional analysis, manufacturing methodology, corrosion resistance by formation of protective surface film, soil corrosion in the buried region and its astronomical significance.
Balasubramaniam also claims that the original site of the iron pillar was at Udaygiri in central India.
"Ascertaining the facts about the pillar, using authentic scientific methods, will help the country use lost knowledge for common good. Larger aim of this exercise should be to utilise the knowledge in the country's development," he said.
"Gleaning information about such heritages not only gives us an opportunity to boast of our rich tradition but also helps us apply that knowledge."
Veteran scientist and author of the book 'the rustless wonder', Professor T R Anantharaman said "accelerator mass spectroscopy should be used to ascertain its age which would help historians establish occurance of events systematically."
Some scientists, however, feel that carbon dating methods would give the age of the source of carbon and not the pillar.
"No doubt, the dates of construction of monuments are important but equally important is to use the knowledge that helped the pillar withstand corrosion and apply it in ongoing alloy developmental processes," Balasubramaniam added.
Bureau Report
