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Quwwat al-Islam Mosque complex: Iron Pillar: Iron Pillar in mosque courtyard, view framed by an ogee arch

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

G. Massiot & cie
Part of: Architectural Lantern Slides of India (includes present-day Pakistan)
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries

An inscription on the eastern gate of the Quwwat al-Islam Mosque hints at the lost splendour of ancient (Tomara) Delhi when it states that 27 temples were destroyed and their stone reused to build the mosque complex. In the middle of the mosque's courtyard is the Iron Pillar (ca. 400), a relic of the Gupta period cast in a pure, non-corrosive iron. According to the Sanskrit inscription, the tapering column (7.21 m) was a victory standard (Skt dhvaja) in honor of Vishnu and was probably crowned by a garuda figure, which no longer survives. Qutb al-Din Aybak probably placed (or retained) the standard as a victory symbol when he founded the mosque in 1192.

Images

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Metadata

Creator
G. Massiot & cie
Date
Circa 1910
Publisher
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Material Type
photographs
Conditions Governing Access
To view the physical lantern slide, please contact the Architecture Library to arrange an appointment
Related Location
Delhi, Delhi, India

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/3n203x83p9s
This digital collection may not include all items or all of the information available about the source collection. See the finding aid for more information.

Metadata

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Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries at asklib.nd.edu.


Also from Architectural Lantern Slides of India (includes present-day Pakistan)

Tomb of Shaykh Salim Chisti: Overall view of the mausoleum within the mosque courtyard

Tomb of Shaykh Salim Chisti: Overall view of the mausoleum within the mosque courtyard

Lal Qil‛a complex: Khas-Mahal: View of marble screen with scales of justice

Lal Qil‛a complex: Khas-Mahal: View of marble screen with scales of justice

Fatehpur Sikri Palace complex: View looking across the Anup Talao with Diwan-i-Khas

Fatehpur Sikri Palace complex: View looking across the Anup Talao with Diwan-i-Khas

Fatehpur Sikri Palace complex: Panch Mahal, overlooking the great civic courtyard

Fatehpur Sikri Palace complex: Panch Mahal, overlooking the great civic courtyard

City Palace complex, Udaipur: One courtyard of the Zenana Mahal

City Palace complex, Udaipur: One courtyard of the Zenana Mahal

Rajarajeshvara Temple complex: Overall view, central temple and shrine area, on a raised platform

Rajarajeshvara Temple complex: Overall view, central temple and shrine area, on a raised platform

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