Iron in Ancient India c6.s8.31

c6.s8.31

(b) From the inscription on the Murshidābād gun which was manufactured at Dacca we learn that the gun was constructed by a Hindu head-mechanic. That opens up an important subject. It seems that the Dacca, Murshidābād and Bishnupur guns were all manufactured by Hindu mechanics and metallurgists under the orders of the Mahomedan rulers. Mr. Lister² in the Presidential address to the Staffordshire Iron and Steel Institute says: "It was believed that the Mahomedans never made iron although acquainted with the higher arts in its use." It appears that the Hindus were skilled workers in iron in all ages and their remarkable skill was utilized by the Mahomedan rulers in the manufacture of wrought-iron guns which must be really regarded as specimens of Hindu art.