Iron pillar of Delhi Archaeological Site

Address: Qutb Complex, Mehrauli, New Delhi, India (contains the Iron Pillar)

Website: https://asi.nic.in/monuments/qutb-minar-complex/

Hours: Daily (open daylight hours / sunrise-sunset)

Admission: Qutb complex entry (includes Iron Pillar): approx. ₹40 for Indian citizens, ₹600 for foreign nationals (ASI ticket)

The Iron pillar of Delhi is a freestanding iron column located in the Qutb archaeological complex in Mehrauli, Delhi, famed for its exceptional resistance to rust and its early medieval inscription.

The pillar is approximately 7.21 metres tall and displays a Sanskrit inscription in Brahmi script that references a king of the Gupta period. Visitors view the pillar as part of the wider Qutb complex, which includes the Qutb Minar and other monuments.

Scholars date the pillar to the 4th century CE and associate its erection with Gupta-period royal patronage; it was later moved to its present site in medieval Delhi. Its metallurgical composition and corrosion resistance have attracted study and commentary for centuries.

Situated in the Qutb archaeological area in South Delhi, the pillar sits adjacent to the Qutb Minar and other ruins and is accessible from central Delhi by road and public transport.

• Height and Corrosion Resistance: The iron pillar stands about 7.21 metres high and is notable for its resistance to corrosion despite being over 1,500 years old.
• Location within Qutb Complex: It stands within the Qutb complex in Mehrauli, near the Qutb Minar, and is accessible to visitors during site opening hours.

The Iron Pillar stands in the Qutb (Qutub) Archaeological Park in Mehrauli, South Delhi. Take the Delhi Metro Yellow Line to Qutub Minar station and then walk about 5-10 minutes to the Qutb complex entrance; taxis and city buses also serve the Mehrauli/Qutub Minar area.

• Visit the Qutb (Qutub) complex at opening time to avoid crowds and the midday heat; the Iron Pillar stands inside the complex near the Qutub Minar rather than as a separate site.
• Use the Qutub Minar metro station (Yellow Line) and walk from the station to the archaeological complex to avoid parking hassles, and take time to read the onsite panels explaining the pillar's inscription and corrosion-resistant metallurgy - many visitors miss the historical context.