Fact Check: Iron Pillar in viral image is not from premises of Qutub Minar but Bharatpur Fort in Rajasthan
When we searched the viral image using Google reverse image search, we found a few photo stock websites where the image
An image showing a huge pillar is in circulation with the claim that it shows an Iron Pillar near Qutub Minar. We can clearly see the inscriptions on the pillar in this image. The inscriptions seem to be the names of kings written in Sanskrit.
The image is shared with caption in Hindi that goes
“कुतुबमीनार मुगलों ने बनाया था
When translated, it claims: “Qutub Minar was built by Mughals, as a proof, Mughals have written the names of their forefathers on the metal pillar at Qutub Minar, if you don't believe then zoom in and see. A disease called Congress has changed the real history of this country and the history of Mughals was imposed on this country.”
Fact check:
The claim that the viral image shows the Iron Pillar near Qutub Minar is false. The image shows an iron pillar from Bharatpur Fort in Rajasthan.
When we searched the viral image using Google reverse image search, we found a few photo stock websites where the image was published with the description that it is the Loha sthambh from Bharatpur Fort, Rajasthan.
It was published on Flickr.com on October 19, 2009, with the title Iron pillar, Bharatpur Fort, India.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/
Taking the cue, when we searched about Loha sthambh, Bharatpur, we found similar images published in a few other posts and websites.
Another image of the Loha sthambh was published in Alamy stock photos.
All these images have the names of the kings inscribed on them.
According to tripadvisor.com, Lohagarh Fort (or Iron Fort) is situated at Bharatpur in Rajasthan, India. It was constructed by the Bharatpur Jat rulers. Maharaja Suraj Mal (1755-1763 CE) built numerous forts and palaces across his kingdom, one of them being the Lohagarh Fort, one of the strongest ever built in Indian history. The inaccessible Lohagarh fort could withstand repeated attacks from British forces led by Lord Lake in 1805 when they laid siege for over six weeks.
The Iron Pillar near Qutub Minar also has inscriptions on it but they are different from those seen in the viral image.
According to delhitourism.travel, Delhi’s Iron Pillar was constructed during the early period of the Gupta reign (320-495 AD). This finding is based on the style of execution and inscription on the pillar and the language. In the third verse of the inscription on the Iron Pillar, scholars have found mention of the name “Chandra” which denotes rulers of the Gupta Dynasty. However, there are different opinions on whether the word Chandra represents King Samudragupta (340-375) or Chandragupta II (375-415) who was the son of King Samudragupta. It is also believed to have been erected in respect of the Hindu God, Lord Vishnu.
There are also many theories on where the pillar was built.
According to one of the prominent theories, the Iron Pillar was built on top of the hill Udaygiri in Madhya Pradesh, from where it was transported to Delhi by King Iltutmish (1210-36 AD) after his victory.
https://delhitourism.travel/
Hence, the viral image is not the Iron Pillar near Qutub Minar in Delhi, it shows an Iron Pillar from Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The claim is false.