Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c20.s6.3

v1.c20.s6.3

In any case, it is established that Indian iron technology, particularly in the areas of surface carburization, forging and lamination technique, is as ancient as any other tradition outside India. Since iron could not be melted and cast easily, carburization of thin sheets of iron in charcoal fire and subsequent lamination and forge-welding of alternate layers of uncarburized and carburized sheets proved to be a spectacular and useful Indian discovery. Equally remarkable was the early (seventh-sixth century BC) smelting traditions at Ujjain, Dhatwa and Naikund. Naikund iron-smiths could carburize iron to the extent of 1 per cent carbon in the ingot. The technical informations regarding the iron samples in the Historical Period pre-Christian era India are summarised in Table 12.3.