2-668-065 - © CM Dixon/Heritage Images

Asoka Pillar. Delhi, c20th century. The pillars of Ashoka are a series of columns dispersed throughout India, erected or at least inscribed with edicts by the Mauryan king Ashoka during his reign in the 3rd century BC. The iron pillar of Delhi originally dedicated as dhvaja (banner) to Hindu deity lord Vishnu in 3rd to 4th century CE by king Chandra, currently standing in the Qutb complex at Mehrauli in Delhi, India