The Use of Different Joining Methods in Ancient Indian Steel Monuments

In India, the non-rusting iron pillar at Delhi is the most popular ancient monument. But the pillars at Dhar, Mandu, gears of the temple in Puri and Konarak and big cannon pipe at Thanjavur are not well known to most of the people in India. To manufacture such heavy monuments weighing a number of tonnes, different joining methods were used like forge welding, soldering, mechanical fixing and joining by shrinkage. The various joining methods will be highlighted with examples of the ancient monuments.