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Damascus or Wootz steel of Telangana

Telangana: The Global Cradle of the Iron Age

The Iron Age may have come into existence in Telangana much before the rest of the world. Archaeologists excavating the University of Hyderabad campus recently discovered iron artifacts dating back to roughly 2,200 BC. This conclusion suggests a hoary tradition of metallurgy and tool making that has thrived in the region for at least four thousand years, predating most global civilizations.

The Natural and Human Environment

Northern Telangana lies in a remote rural heartland, a landscape of scattered agricultural villages of mixed occupational groups, interspersed with teak-dominated forests and bisected by the west-to-east flowing Godavari River. This area was settled well into the past, as evidenced by a plethora of small abandoned irrigation reservoirs recorded on early topographical maps. Nizamabad (Ancient Indur), particularly the village of Konasamudram, became world-renowned as an established steel-making centre.

The Chronology of "Telangana Ukku"

1. Asmaka Mahajanapada & Megalithic Roots (c. 700 – 300 BCE)

As the only Mahajanapada south of the Vindhyas, Asmaka pioneered the use of iron in the Deccan. Known megalithic burial sites indicate an Iron Age, iron-using culture that preceded the Early Historic settlement phase. These artisans were the first to identify the unique ores of the Godavari valley.

2. Satavahana Kingdom (200 BCE – 220 AD)

Centred at Kotilingala, an enclosed habitation site in Karimnagar district, the Satavahanas industrialised steel production. Damascus swords and knives began to dominate the weapon industry; Alexander the Great was said to have had a Damascus sword, and even Aristotle commented on the high quality of the Damascus steel blade (Wootz).

3. Vishnukundinas & Chalukyas (c. 300 – 1000 AD)

Known for their skills since 300 AD, the blacksmiths of Telangana—known as Kammari—gained a glorious reputation. Their technical expertise was much in demand for making war equipment across the subcontinent. During this era, the "Telangana Ukku" (Wootz) process was refined, utilizing the unique geological lodes of the region.

The Mulugu Forests: Nature’s Laboratory

The industry thrived because of the Mulugu and Eturnagaram forest belts. This ecosystem provided:

  • The Raw Ore: Rich lodes of iron ore bodies unique to this locality, essential for the legendary 'Damascus Steel'.
  • The Fuel: Massive tracts of teak and hardwoods required to reach the extreme temperatures for crucible melting.
  • The Water: Ancient irrigation reservoirs and the Godavari river provided the necessary environment for quenching and industrial processing.

4. Kakatiya & Golkonda Eras (1175 – 1687 AD)

Telangana produced massive quantities of crucible steel during the 16th–18th centuries. Firsthand accounts from European travelers and the Dutch East India Company describe the trade in ingots from the Kingdom of Golkonda through the port of Masulipatam. It is now a confirmed scientific fact: the raw material for these legendary blades was exported directly from Telangana.

Scientific Breakthrough: Tipu Sultan’s Sword

In 2012, Tipu Sultan’s majestic sabre was auctioned at Sotheby’s for £502,500. A team from the National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS) and UK’s Exeter University traced the metal's origin to determine why it was so famously tough. Their report, Pioneering Metallurgy, confirmed the sword was made by Telangana blacksmiths.

The "Ukku" Process:

  • Entailed repeated heating and cooling for days on end at specific temperatures.
  • Depended on trace elements like Vanadium present in specific iron ore bodies.
  • Involved hammering steel into ingots and treating the lumps into shaped blanks before final sword-making.

The Fall: How the Craft Perished

Although the region remains rich in ore, smelting is no longer practised. The knowledge of smelting technology is significantly lost, held only in sketchy memories of village elders. The decline was a direct result of colonial intervention:

  • 1858 Disarmament: Historian 'Jai' Jaikishan explains that the British East India Company responded to the 1857 Indian Rebellion by stopping production. "They decided to stop the production of wootz steel in 1858," he notes.
  • 1862 Forest Laws: These laws stopped Indian communities from exploiting nearby trees, cutting the supply of charcoal. This broke the backbone of the wootz industry.
  • Vanishing Material: As the specific ore lodes containing Vanadium were exhausted, steel made elsewhere lacked the same quality. As the raw material vanished, the secrets of the master steel men gradually died out.

Today, roadside blacksmiths—the descendants of those legendary artisans—still work in Telangana, but they no longer handle wootz steel. Further intensive inquiry is required to recover this lost heritage.

Resources & Bibliography

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