Search for Tipu Sultan’s metal

Call it the search for the leadership particle. What was the magic behind Tipu Sultan’s sword? How was it crafted from the earth?

Researchers from Bangalore-based National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS) and UK’s Exeter University are tracing the origins of the metal used to make the Sultan’s sword, which was known for its toughness due to high carbon content.

Wootz steel, an exceptional iron ore grade which was first made in South India around 300 BC, is said to have originated in Telangana, between Hyderabad and Nizamabad.

“The high carbon content, which provides extra strength to the metal, was exported to  Europe in the 17th century from Telangana. However, the production and technology have died down in the area. Our research is an attempt to revive ancient Indian metallurgy,” says the lead investigator, Sharada Srinivasan, who is also an NIAS faculty member.

The researchers conceptualised the project two years ago, and identified 120 sites in Telangana, scanning them for ancient metallic remnants. Islamic merchants and European travellers of the 18th and 19th centuries considered the area to be the principal source of wootz steel, also called crucible steel.

Though a lot is known about wootz steel, its metallurgical origins and processes are still unknown. “Today’s technologies have all come from the West. We hope the (Telangana) technology will lead to an indigenous effort in metallurgy,” Srinivasan said.

The team has already interviewed traditional blacksmiths and the descendants of the last smelters of the region.

Wootz steel is the primary component of Damascan steel which was used to make the popular Damascus swords. Syrian blacksmiths used wootz steel slabs to produce extraordinary steel weaponry during the middle ages.

The researchers have now tied up with the department of materials engineering (formerly known as metallurgy lab) of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for further data analysis.

“In our attempt to revive the technology, we also hope to set up a museum in the area for educational purposes,” Sharada said.

The research team includes Gill Juleff and her group from Exeter University, UK, Sharada Srinivasan and S Ranganathan from NIAS, and students and researchers from Central University, Hyderabad, and Dharmapuri Degree College.