Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.15845

c10.15845

1841.—“The cakes of steel are called *Wootz*; they differ materially in quality, according to the nature of the ore, but are generally very good steel, and are sent into Persia and Turkey. . . . It may be rendered self-evident that the figure or pattern (of Damascus steel) so long sought after exists in the cakes of *Wootz*, and only requires to be produced by the action of diluted acids . . . it is therefore highly probable that the ancient blades (of Daascus) were made of this steel."—Wilkinson, Engines of War, pp. 203-206.