An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s9.19

v1.c21.s9.19

From the accounts of Herodotos, Ktesias and Quintus Curtius it is clear that Indian iron was a prized commodity even in the pre-Christian era. Probably the reference is to wootz, a type of Indian steel made by a process resembling the modern cementation or crucible process. Wrought iron was heated with wood and leaves of specific plants in a closed crucible over a charcoal fire maintained at a high temperature by blowing air. The process was completed in a few hours. The annealed metal was quenched in different liquids to get the desired hardness. Cakes of wootz were also exported for manufacturing the so-called Damascus blades. This type of steel was specially manufactured in Hyderabad, Karnataka, Salem, etc. Ancient methods of making iron and steel are still followed by the primitive tribes like the Agarias, Marias, Asurs, etc.