Iron in Ancient India c7.s4.1

c7.s4.1

At present three principal varieties of iron are recognized according to the amount of carbon contained in them, viz, wrought iron, steel and cast iron. Each of these principal varieties is again sub-divided into other varieties according to the difference in their composition and properties. In ancient India also various kinds of iron were known and recognized by their different properties. The principal varieties were ‘munda’ (cast iron), ‘tikshna’ (sharp iron or steel) and ‘kānta’ (wrought iron).