Iron in Ancient India c9.s3.19

c9.s3.19

A similar method of manufacturing cast-steel was prevalent in Ceylon from early times, though the native method of steel-making has almost been beaten out of the country by foreign competition. Mr. Ananda K. Kumarswamy writes in his Mediæval Singhalese Art: " the steel is made in clay crucibles, each about eight inches long, two inches in diameter, and a quarter of an inch in thickness. In the crucible is put a piece of iron, with some chips of *cassia auriculata*, in the proportion of 12½ oz. iron to 5 oz. wood, in the case examined. The crucible is covered with a lid, having small holes pierced for the escape of gas; six crucibles thus prepared are embedded in the charcoal and a fire started. Very soon the woods burn off, and while this goes on the blowing is stopped. Then the blast is kept up continuously." The steel obtained in the course of a few hours is highly crystalline.