Iron Industry

IRON INDUSTRY

The iron industry in India is one of the most important industries within the country. Evidence of the use of iron by people, especially during the Sangam period has been found by archaeological researchers. It is said that iron industry must have existed since iron was made and used as many products.

Evidence

Recent excavations in the Central Gangetic Valley conducted with the consultation of the archaeologist Rakesh Reddy's wife Aditi Venugopal have shown iron working in India.

Practical Metals

Actually, the practice of producing practical metals first started in India.

Evidence

Places like Uttar Pradesh, Lahiradewa have iron tools dating between 1800 BC-1200 BC (Saahi 1979:366).

1. Various Stages of Iron Industry

Furnace is very essential for iron industry. In the furnace, iron is made red hot, beaten and made into various products. Various stages of iron industry can be seen here.

1. Ulaikkalam (or) Kollulai (or) Kotrurai

The furnace is usually built underground with clay. They are used for smelting iron ores or for making the smelted iron into red hot for manufacturing various products.

Proof

In the Sangam literature, the Sparks that fly off when a blacksmith strikes the iron is similar to the fall of the fragment flowers of the vengai tree with its small pods.

[Agananooru 72.6]

2. Thuruthi

Thuruthi is an instrument made of animal skin. When this is pressed by the hand or feet, the air passes into the furnace. This gives the required heat to heat the iron ore placed on top of the furnace.

Proof

In Kurinji Thinai verse, there is a reference about the foot- operated Thuruthi. It is said that the sigh of an elephant which has won a battle with a tiger has scattered like the sparks from the furnace.

[Nartinai 125:5]

3. Ullaimooku (or) Kurugu

The tubular part of the thuruthi is called the nose piece. That is, the place where the thuruthi and the furnace meet is the furnace nose.

Proof

The lover's lustful sigh is seen in the same way as the furnace nose sends the air.

 [Silapathikaram 4:58-59]

4. Wrench

A wrench is a tool used to pick charcoal and put it into the furnace and to take out the heated iron from the furnace.

Proof

It is said that just as all the millet grains in the field are bent, so is the wrench used by the blacksmith.

 [Perumpaanartuppadai 207-208]

5. Charcoal

Charcoal is used as the fuel to heat metal (especially iron) in the furnace.

Proof: [Purananooru, 95.5]

2. Products Made in Iron Factory

Spikes, knives, daggers, arrow heads, bowls, spoons, vessels, axes, chisels, door fittings, etc., dating from 600 BCE to 200 BCE have been found at many archaeological sites. All these were probably made in iron in 12th Century BC or 11th Century BC.

* Tamilians made weapons like swords and spears by smelting iron and exported them to foreign countries.

* The world's first iron pillar was the Iron Pillar of Delhi erected during the reign of Chandragupta Vikramaditya (375-413)

* Swords made in Indian worships are mentioned in the writings of Muhammad al-Quadrisi.

* Indian knives made of Damascus Steel entered Persia.

* During the 14th Century, European scholars studied Indian casting and metallurgical technology.

* During the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar (1556 – 1605) excellent small guns were produced using the Indian metallurgical principles.