How Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq Relocated the Topra Ashoka Pillar to Delhi
Transporting a massive stone monument weighing several tons over hundreds of kilometres is a challenging task even today. Imagine accomplishing it in the 14th century - without cranes, hydraulic lifts, trucks or modern engineering equipment. Yet that is exactly what Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq (r: 1351-1388) accomplished in 1367 when he relocated an ancient Asoka Pillar from Topra, in present-day Haryana, to Delhi. The monolith was re-erected near the Jami Mosque at Firozabad, known today as Firoz Shah Kotla, where it remains to this day.
Fortunately, the method behind this extraordinary feat is documented. The Sirat-i-Firuz Shahi, an anonymous historical acount of Firoz Shah's reign, provides a detailed, illustrated description of the relocation process.
To facilitate the removal, engineers built a large sloping earthen platform approximately six yards from the pillar's base. Wooden supports strengthened the platform on all four sides.
Next, they erected six tall wooden piers around the pillar - two behind, two on the right and two on the left. These piers were strengthened with iron nails, wrapped in raw hides and secured with thick ropes. Each pier was further supported on three sides by two thick, slanting wooden planks.
The workers connected these piers with large wooden beams, in the middle and at the top. Five wheels were attached to these beams to guide ropes: two on each side of the pillar and one behind it. To hold and move these ropes, five pulleys were also set up. Another wheel was secured behind the rearmost pulley, with a rope attached to it. The ends of these six ropes were tightly bound around the upper part of the pillar so that it is held securely.
Before the lowering began, the entire pillar was wrapped in long reeds and raw hides to prevent damage. A thick layer of paddy straw was also spread over the platform to provide further protection for the stone.
With all preparations complete, the workers began the task of lowering the monolith. As the pillar was gradually lowered, its top came to rest on the ropes. Four long ropes tied to the top of the pillar were pulled forward while the ropes running through the pulleys were released little by little. This movement enabled the pillar to tilt gradually and rest on the horizontal ropes in front. The specific rope supporting the top of the pillar was then slowly relaxed and untied, allowing the pillar to move forward as the ropes at the pulleys were gradually released. This process continued until the top of the pillar fully rested on the front platform.
Once the pillar was positioned on the platform, the earth beneath it was removed one layer at a time while keeping the ropes on the sides and back tightly stretched. After removing each layer of earth, the ropes at the rear pulleys were gradually loosened. This process continued until the pillar lay flat on the ground.
The cart was placed length-wise adjacent to the pillar. The wheels on the side closest to the pillar were removed, and their axle rods were supported by a brick wall constructed six yards from the pillar. A sloping earthen ramp was then built from the top of this wall to the base of the pillar.
On the opposite side of the cart, a row of four pulleys were installed. Ropes from these pulleys were tied to the pillar at four different points. As workers operated the pulleys, the pillar was slowly lifted and gently lowered onto the cart. The ropes were then slowly released until the pillar was correctly placed and balanced. Finally, the brick wall was dismantled, and the wheels were reattached to the cart. The cart was then ready to transport the stone pillar across land to the Yamuna River.
Firoz Shah expected the bullocks to pull the cart from the front while the elephants exerted force from the left and right sides. At the back of the cart, another four ropes were held by a group of men to control the cart: preventing it from sliding uncontrollably down slopes and assisting in uphill climbs. However, despite their considerable strength, the elephants were unable to move the cart.
Realising that his original plan would not succeed, the Sultan ordered the elephants to be removed and instructed that the cart should be pulled entirely by people, including both slaves and free men. Great Khans and well-known persons, courtiers, well-to-do gentlemen and ordinary men all caught hold of the ropes only too willingly to drag the cart forward.
With their combined effort, the cart finally began to move. The pillar was taken to the banks of the Yamuna River, where a large boat awaited to carry it to its next destination.
Next, they installed four pulleys behind the pillar, facing each other, with two more pulleys positioned at each end of the pillar. Strong ropes were tied to these pulleys. A platform of thick wooden beams was constructed extending from the pillar to the center of the boat, where the pillar would rest.
The workers gradually loosened the ropes, maintaining a firm grip to keep the pillar balanced, ensuring that both ends moved at the same pace. This way, the pillar slid gently across the wooden platform until it rested in the center of the boat.
To make the vessel stable enough to carry such an enormous weight, the workers secured a large wooden frame made of ten heavy beams along both sides of the boat. In addition, two large boats were tied alongside the main boat on the river side to increase its stability during loading and navigation. Once the pillar was correctly placed, it was firmly secured with ropes at eight different points to both the boat and the wooden frame.
With the loading complete, everyone offered a prayer, saying, "Bismillahi Majreha Wa Mursaha" (in the name of God, may the boat go and anchor safely), and the boatmen began to sail.
The boat carried the pillar along the Yamuna River until it reached the town of Firozabad, where the riverbank had already been deepened to receive it. Upon arrival, the pillar was offloaded using the same methods employed earlier to move it from the ground to the cart and from the cart to the boat. It was then conveyed to the mosque of Firozabad.
At a signal, the workers began turning the pulleys and pulling the ropes. Slowly and steadily, the enormous stone pillar started moving upward. The two supporting beams moved along with the pillar. Once the pillar reached the roof of the first storey, it was rolled into position near the pulleys.
Subsequently, on the side where the pillar was placed and the pulleys stand, a gap approximately equal to the pillar's circumference was left at both ends. The remaining structure was then raised to a height of two yards. Using ropes and pulleys, the workers lifted the pillar onto this newly raised walls. After filling the gap with masonry, they rolled the pillar onto the completed surface. This process was repeated, raising another two-yard section while again leaving space for the pillar.
In this way, the workers gradually elevated the pillar two yards at a time until it finally reached the top of the platform.
The workers prepared the pedestal by fixing three large stone beams along its south, east and west sides. An additional long beam was placed above the southern support, while further stone blocks reinforced the eastern and western sides.
Next, the workers placed the pillar on a cart fitted with revolving wheels and carefully rolled it into position. They meticulously aligned the centre of the pillar with the gap left on the northern side of the pedestal. Once everything was perfectly aligned, they installed twenty-four pulleys to carry out the final lift.
They erected four wooden piers on either side of the pillar. On the south, east and west sides of the pillar, tower-like stone supports were also constructed. Turning the pulleys, the workers gradually lifted the pillar
Once the top of the pillar reached one yard above the platform, the workers constructed a temporary stone-and-mud support beneath it. As the pillar rose higher, they increased the height of this support, keeping the pillar safely supported throughout the operation. Gradually, inch by inch, the pillar swung upward until it finally stood upright in its vertical position on 30 September, 1367.
With the pillar securely in place, the workers installed an ornate capital made of coloured stone. It featured a pedestal, a myrobalan-shaped ornament, flat mouldings, decorative rings, vase-shaped ornaments, a flask-shaped finial and a crescent at the very top. Four lion figures were placed at the corners of the third storey.
The workers then removed the protective reeds wrapped around the pillar, dismantled the wooden piers, pulleys and other temporary structures, and carefully repolished the pillar.
The base of the pillar was adorned with a pavement of colored stones, including white marble, red stone and black stone. The arched chambers on each floor was provided with staircases. A corridor was also built connecting the mosque to the pillar.
Fortunately, the method behind this extraordinary feat is documented. The Sirat-i-Firuz Shahi, an anonymous historical acount of Firoz Shah's reign, provides a detailed, illustrated description of the relocation process.
Taking Down the Pillar from Topra
The initial task involved safely lowering the stone pillar to the ground without causing even the slightest damage.To facilitate the removal, engineers built a large sloping earthen platform approximately six yards from the pillar's base. Wooden supports strengthened the platform on all four sides.
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| Erection of piers and pulleys and tying of ropes for taking down the stone pillar |
Next, they erected six tall wooden piers around the pillar - two behind, two on the right and two on the left. These piers were strengthened with iron nails, wrapped in raw hides and secured with thick ropes. Each pier was further supported on three sides by two thick, slanting wooden planks.
The workers connected these piers with large wooden beams, in the middle and at the top. Five wheels were attached to these beams to guide ropes: two on each side of the pillar and one behind it. To hold and move these ropes, five pulleys were also set up. Another wheel was secured behind the rearmost pulley, with a rope attached to it. The ends of these six ropes were tightly bound around the upper part of the pillar so that it is held securely.
Before the lowering began, the entire pillar was wrapped in long reeds and raw hides to prevent damage. A thick layer of paddy straw was also spread over the platform to provide further protection for the stone.
With all preparations complete, the workers began the task of lowering the monolith. As the pillar was gradually lowered, its top came to rest on the ropes. Four long ropes tied to the top of the pillar were pulled forward while the ropes running through the pulleys were released little by little. This movement enabled the pillar to tilt gradually and rest on the horizontal ropes in front. The specific rope supporting the top of the pillar was then slowly relaxed and untied, allowing the pillar to move forward as the ropes at the pulleys were gradually released. This process continued until the top of the pillar fully rested on the front platform.
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| Platform on which the stone pillar would rest while taken down |
Once the pillar was positioned on the platform, the earth beneath it was removed one layer at a time while keeping the ropes on the sides and back tightly stretched. After removing each layer of earth, the ropes at the rear pulleys were gradually loosened. This process continued until the pillar lay flat on the ground.
Placement of the Pillar onto the Cart
The next challenge was moving the enormous stone pillar over land. Royal engineers constructed a large ten-wheeled flat cart, matching the length of the pillar.The cart was placed length-wise adjacent to the pillar. The wheels on the side closest to the pillar were removed, and their axle rods were supported by a brick wall constructed six yards from the pillar. A sloping earthen ramp was then built from the top of this wall to the base of the pillar.
On the opposite side of the cart, a row of four pulleys were installed. Ropes from these pulleys were tied to the pillar at four different points. As workers operated the pulleys, the pillar was slowly lifted and gently lowered onto the cart. The ropes were then slowly released until the pillar was correctly placed and balanced. Finally, the brick wall was dismantled, and the wheels were reattached to the cart. The cart was then ready to transport the stone pillar across land to the Yamuna River.
Moving the Cart Carrying the Pillar
Ten large iron rings were attached to each side of the cart. Thick, long ropes were tied to these rings, with the other ends fastened to the necks of elephants. Similarly, three thick ropes were connected to the front of the cart and attached to the yokes of bullocks.Firoz Shah expected the bullocks to pull the cart from the front while the elephants exerted force from the left and right sides. At the back of the cart, another four ropes were held by a group of men to control the cart: preventing it from sliding uncontrollably down slopes and assisting in uphill climbs. However, despite their considerable strength, the elephants were unable to move the cart.
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| The monolith being carried on the cart towards the town of Firozabad |
Realising that his original plan would not succeed, the Sultan ordered the elephants to be removed and instructed that the cart should be pulled entirely by people, including both slaves and free men. Great Khans and well-known persons, courtiers, well-to-do gentlemen and ordinary men all caught hold of the ropes only too willingly to drag the cart forward.
With their combined effort, the cart finally began to move. The pillar was taken to the banks of the Yamuna River, where a large boat awaited to carry it to its next destination.
 |
| Arrival of the cart with the stone pillar at the bank of the Yamuna River |
Placement of the Pillar onto the Boat
At the boat's mooring spot, workers escavated the ground to properly position the cart. The wheels towards the boat side were removed, allowing the axles to rest firmly on the ground.Next, they installed four pulleys behind the pillar, facing each other, with two more pulleys positioned at each end of the pillar. Strong ropes were tied to these pulleys. A platform of thick wooden beams was constructed extending from the pillar to the center of the boat, where the pillar would rest.
 | |
| Removing wheels of the cart from one side and tying ropes and pulling up the pillar to place it in the boat |
The workers gradually loosened the ropes, maintaining a firm grip to keep the pillar balanced, ensuring that both ends moved at the same pace. This way, the pillar slid gently across the wooden platform until it rested in the center of the boat.
To make the vessel stable enough to carry such an enormous weight, the workers secured a large wooden frame made of ten heavy beams along both sides of the boat. In addition, two large boats were tied alongside the main boat on the river side to increase its stability during loading and navigation. Once the pillar was correctly placed, it was firmly secured with ropes at eight different points to both the boat and the wooden frame.
With the loading complete, everyone offered a prayer, saying, "Bismillahi Majreha Wa Mursaha" (in the name of God, may the boat go and anchor safely), and the boatmen began to sail.
The boat carried the pillar along the Yamuna River until it reached the town of Firozabad, where the riverbank had already been deepened to receive it. Upon arrival, the pillar was offloaded using the same methods employed earlier to move it from the ground to the cart and from the cart to the boat. It was then conveyed to the mosque of Firozabad.
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| Arrival of the cart with pillar in front of the mosque of Firozabad |
Preparation of the Site for the Pillar at Firozabad
First, workers dug a large square pit in front of the mosque, which they filled completely with stone and lime mortar to create a solid foundation. On this base, they raised a three-storey massive stone platform. On the third storey, along all four sides, a 9-yard-wide section was covered with eight domes. At the centre of the platform, they erected a strong masonry pedestal of stone and lime mortar to support the pillar. Following is the step-by-step process in detail.Raising the Pillar to the Top
The workers constructed a long sloping earthen ramp from the ground to the roof of the first storey. On this roof, they installed eight pulleys, along with two additional pulleys at the corners. The ends of the pillar were tied to these corner pulleys, while ten more ropes were attached to the pillar and held by workers. Twenty wooden poles were placed across the platform at regular intervals. Two thick wooden beams, each as long as the pillar, were positioned on either side to support it during the lift. |
| Building of the 1st storey and raising the pillar onto its top by means of ropes |
At a signal, the workers began turning the pulleys and pulling the ropes. Slowly and steadily, the enormous stone pillar started moving upward. The two supporting beams moved along with the pillar. Once the pillar reached the roof of the first storey, it was rolled into position near the pulleys.
Subsequently, on the side where the pillar was placed and the pulleys stand, a gap approximately equal to the pillar's circumference was left at both ends. The remaining structure was then raised to a height of two yards. Using ropes and pulleys, the workers lifted the pillar onto this newly raised walls. After filling the gap with masonry, they rolled the pillar onto the completed surface. This process was repeated, raising another two-yard section while again leaving space for the pillar.
In this way, the workers gradually elevated the pillar two yards at a time until it finally reached the top of the platform.
Re-erection of the Topra Pillar at Firozabad
With the pillar now at the required height, the final and most delicate stage of the project commenced - raising the monolith from a horizontal position to its original upright stance.The workers prepared the pedestal by fixing three large stone beams along its south, east and west sides. An additional long beam was placed above the southern support, while further stone blocks reinforced the eastern and western sides.
Next, the workers placed the pillar on a cart fitted with revolving wheels and carefully rolled it into position. They meticulously aligned the centre of the pillar with the gap left on the northern side of the pedestal. Once everything was perfectly aligned, they installed twenty-four pulleys to carry out the final lift.
They erected four wooden piers on either side of the pillar. On the south, east and west sides of the pillar, tower-like stone supports were also constructed. Turning the pulleys, the workers gradually lifted the pillar
Once the top of the pillar reached one yard above the platform, the workers constructed a temporary stone-and-mud support beneath it. As the pillar rose higher, they increased the height of this support, keeping the pillar safely supported throughout the operation. Gradually, inch by inch, the pillar swung upward until it finally stood upright in its vertical position on 30 September, 1367.
With the pillar securely in place, the workers installed an ornate capital made of coloured stone. It featured a pedestal, a myrobalan-shaped ornament, flat mouldings, decorative rings, vase-shaped ornaments, a flask-shaped finial and a crescent at the very top. Four lion figures were placed at the corners of the third storey.
The workers then removed the protective reeds wrapped around the pillar, dismantled the wooden piers, pulleys and other temporary structures, and carefully repolished the pillar.
The base of the pillar was adorned with a pavement of colored stones, including white marble, red stone and black stone. The arched chambers on each floor was provided with staircases. A corridor was also built connecting the mosque to the pillar.
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