Iron in Ancient India c7.s5.2

c7.s5.2

Writing about the beams in Konarak, H. G. Graves points out: ² "One beam, which is now lying on the portico, has evidently been partially exposed for a long period to the sandy winds, for it is worn down at least an inch in depth, enabling the defective structure to be seen. This particular beam and the fractured ends show very clearly that the method of manufacture was by welding up small blooms, generally about 3 or 4 lbs. in weight. The blooms are commonly 2 by 1 inch in section, but occasionally 2 by 2 inches or 1 by 1 inch, and a common length is about 6 inches. In a few cases the blooms may have been larger or the welding was done more effectively. The rough sketches appended to this paper show with fair accuracy the relative sizes and disposition of the blooms in several beams. Many of the broken ends show the existence of irregular and sometimes uniform cavities. It is possible to thrust a stick down some of them to a depth of 7 or 8 feet, and the sand-blasted specimen shows a cavity nearly the whole length of the beam. From these hollows, bits of cinder can be raked out." The blooms were probably welded together into short bars which were then in turn welded into big beams. Mr. Graves say that externally the beams are well finished though the cracks and lines show where joints were (see plate No. 4).