Delhi Iron Pillar : New Insights

Contents: Foreword. Preface. I. Introduction: 1. Metal extraction. 2. Iron of Delhi pillar: i. Composition. ii. Microstructure. 3. Origin for phosphorous in metal. II. History: 1. Introduction. 2. The inscription: i. Other inscriptions. 3. Commentators of the inscriptions. 4. The inscription is not posthumous. 6. Name. 7. Analysis of the inscription: i. Conquests in the east. ii. Conquests in the west. iii. Conquests in the north. iv. Location of Vahlika. v. Fame in the south. vi. Supreme sovereignty. vii. Long reign. 8. Paleography of the inscription. 9. Location of Vishnupadagiri. 10. Personal religion on Chandra. 11. Later history. III. Structural features: 1. Changes in burial level. 2. Dimensional analysis. 3. Pillar bottom. 4. Lead coating in the buried underground. 5. Pillar above the ground. 6. Lead metallurgy in ancient India. 7. Implications of lead presence on corrosion of the pillar. IV. Decorative Bell Capital: 1. Dimensional analysis. 2. Components of the bell capital: i. Reeded sections. ii. Circular sections. iii. Box pedestal. 3. Fitting methodology: i. Shrink fitting over pillar main body. ii. Shrink fitting over cylindrical shaft. iii. Capital to the main body. V. Manufacturing methodology: 1. Forge welding. 2. Hammering method. 3. Heating method. 4. Possible use of metal inserts in pillar body. 5. Use of die blocks. 6. Handling of the lumps to be forged. 7. Handling of the pillar body. 8. Surface finishing operations: i. Hammering. ii. Chiseling and burnishing. 9. Final operations. 10. Most likely methodology. VI. Corrosion resistance: 1. Critical review of previous theories of corrosion resistance: i. Material factors. ii. Environmental factors. 2. Mixed potential theory. 3. Characterization of Delhi iron pillar rust: i. X-Ray diffraction. ii. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. iii. Mossbauer spectroscopy. 4. Process of protective rust formation. 5. Rust cross-section. 6. Colour of rust. 7. Difference with corrosion of steel and weathering steels. VII. Large ancient Indian iron objects: 1. Summary of studies on Delhi Iron Pillar. 2. Iron Pillar at Dhar: i. History. ii. Dimensions. iii. Erection of the pillar. iv. Manufacturing methodology. v. Corrosion resistance. 3. Iron pillar at Kodachadri hill. 4. Iron pillar at Mandu. 5. Iron pillar at Mount Abu. 6. Iron beams in the Orissa temples. 7. Iron Cannons. Appendices: 1. Origin of high phosphorous contents in ancient Indian irons: i. Data utilized. ii. Thermodynamic models. iii. Oxygen content in metal. iv. Phosphorous contents in metal: a. Flood’s model. b. Quadratic formalism. V. Empirical models: a. Healy’s co-relation. b. Turkdogan’s model. Discussion. Bibliography. Index.

"The 1600 year old Delhi iron pillar has attracted the attention of archaeologists, metallurgists and corrosion scientists for its excellent resistance to corrosion. The book details new insights on the Delhi iron pillar based on the researches of the author. The identities of the patron Chandra and the original location Vishnupadagiri of the pillar have been critically analyzed. The engineering details of the pillar, including its decorative bell capital, have been highlighted. The manufacturing method of the pillar has been elucidated. The important aspect of corrosion resistance of the pillar has been discussed in light of a detailed characterization of the pillar’s protective passive surface film. Several metallurgical aspects concerning ancient Indian iron have been presented. The book concludes with a discussion of other large forge welded ancient iron objects in India." (jacket)