IIG Knowledge Base

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Iron Pillar located in Delhi, India, is a 7 m (23 ft) column in the Qutb complex, notable for the rust-resistant composition of the metals used in its construction. The pillar has attracted the attention of archaeologists and materials scientists and has been called "a testament to the skill of ancient Indian blacksmiths" because of its high resistance to corrosion. The corrosion resistance results from an even layer of crystalline iron hydrogen phosphate forming on the high phosphorus content iron, which serves to protect it from the effects of the local Delhi climate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25 Non Resident Indians Who Have Made India Proud

 

Started around 5th century, Nalanda university is considered as one of the world's first residential university. Nalanda Mahavihara, regarded as one of the greatest universities of ancient world, was founded by Kumaragupta I (413-455 A.D.) of the great Gupta dynasty. King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (606-647A.D.) and the Pala kings of east India (8th-12th Century A.D.) continued to extend patronage to this centre. Spread across 1 square kilometre, with 6 temples and eleven monasteries, this university taught various subjects like theology, grammer, logic, astronomy, metaphysics, medicine and philosophy. At its hey day, it hosted 10,000 students & 2000 teachers and had students from various parts of the world. Guess, even now very few universities can match its credentials. There is a legend stating that when it was ravaged by turkish invader Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th Century, the library was so big that it burnt for 6 months.

 

 

 

Who is Bodhidharma?