Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c22.s7.9

v1.c22.s7.9

Marshall speculated that the ancient steel in Taxila (1.23% carbon) was probably produced by the crucible or wootz process, but no evidence could be obtained to that effect. It was really surprising that the specimens did not show any sign of having been tempered. Indians had produced quenched martensitic structure in the third century BC site of Pāṇḍu Rājār Dhibi (vide chapter 12). Great heat during fire carnage might have destroyed the martensitic structure. Marshall could have arranged metallographic examination of more samples from the Sirkap site.