Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c23.17

v1.c23.17

Iron was discovered and used in India around 1200-1000 BC, and this led to the growth of *mahājanapadas* in the Gaṅgā-Yamunā valley and to the phenomenon of ‘second urbanisation’ (after Harappan) in India. The reference made by Herodotus to the iron-tipped arrows carried by Indian soldiers is very significant, since this is the first use of Indian iron outside the country. Ktesias, who was a resident physician in the court of the Persian king Artaxerxes Memnon, wrote in his *Indika* (398 BC) of two iron swords of India that he received from the king of Persia and his mother. It is difficult to say whether this was made of wootz (high carbon iron) or steel. Ktesias also mentions the property of iron to ward off thunderstorms. Curtis Rufus described Alexander being presented (at Malli between Chenāb and Rāvī) various items including ‘100 talents of steel’. (McCrindle, 1896: 252)