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== Does Ayas mean a metal or iron? ==

== Does Ayas mean a metal or iron? ==

The history of iron can be traced back based on the historical and archaeological sources including modern radiocarbon dating. The early hymns of Rigveda revealed the knowledge of extracting metals from ores. 'AYAS' (iron) was the third Rig-Vedic metal (after gold and silver) according to some scholars<ref name=":1" /> while others, Lallanji Gopal, Tripathi<ref name=":0" /> argued that it stood for metal in general in Rigveda. Yajurveda mentions gold, silver, copper, lead, tin and iron in the famous Rudra adhyaya. The terms 'krishna or shyamaayas' (the black metal) and lohitayas (the red metal) denoting iron and copper, respectively were coined in the Shukla Yaurveda (28.13) text.<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>अश्मा च मे मृत्तिका च मे गिरयश् च मे पर्वताश् च मे सिकताश् च मे वनस्पतयश् च मे हिरण्यं च मे ऽयश् च मे श्यामं च मे लोहं च मे सीसं च मे त्रपु च मे यज्ञेन कल्पन्ताम् ॥ (Yaju. Samh. )<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AE Shukla Yajurveda] </ref>  

The history of iron can be traced back based on the historical and archaeological sources including modern radiocarbon dating. The early hymns of [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]] revealed the knowledge of extracting metals from ores. 'AYAS' (iron) was the third Rig-Vedic metal (after gold and silver) according to some scholars<ref name=":1" /> while others, Lallanji Gopal, Tripathi<ref name=":0" /> argued that it stood for metal in general in Rigveda. [[Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः)|Yajurveda]] mentions gold, silver, copper, lead, tin and iron in the famous Rudra adhyaya. The terms 'krishna or shyamaayas' (the black metal) and lohitayas (the red metal) denoting iron and copper, respectively were coined in the Shukla Yaurveda (28.13) text.<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>अश्मा च मे मृत्तिका च मे गिरयश् च मे पर्वताश् च मे सिकताश् च मे वनस्पतयश् च मे हिरण्यं च मे ऽयश् च मे श्यामं च मे लोहं च मे सीसं च मे त्रपु च मे यज्ञेन कल्पन्ताम् ॥ (Yaju. Samh. )<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AE Shukla Yajurveda] </ref>

aśmā ca me mṛttikā ca me girayaś ca me parvatāś ca me sikatāś ca me vanaspatayaś ca me hiraṇyaṃ ca me ’yaś ca me śyāmaṃ ca me lohaṃ ca me sīsaṃ ca me trapu ca me yajñena kalpantām || </blockquote>However, according to A. K. Vaish, et. al.<ref name=":1" /> Rig-Vedic hymns have reference to the soldiers putting on '''coats of mail''' (a jacket covered with or composed of metal rings or plates, serving as armour) and using '''metallic helmets'''. Ancient Indians deployed the use of iron in '''agriculture and warfare'''. The uses of iron extended down to southern tip of Tamil Nadu. Based on the weapons and implements cited in Rig-Veda and the puranas, iron making technology existed to fulfill man's needs for war and peace.<ref name=":1" />

aśmā ca me mṛttikā ca me girayaś ca me parvatāś ca me sikatāś ca me vanaspatayaś ca me hiraṇyaṃ ca me ’yaś ca me śyāmaṃ ca me lohaṃ ca me sīsaṃ ca me trapu ca me yajñena kalpantām || </blockquote>However, according to A. K. Vaish, et. al.<ref name=":1" /> Rig-Vedic hymns have reference to the soldiers putting on '''coats of mail''' (a jacket covered with or composed of metal rings or plates, serving as armour) and using '''metallic helmets'''. Ancient Indians deployed the use of iron in '''agriculture and warfare'''. The uses of iron extended down to southern tip of Tamil Nadu. Based on the weapons and implements cited in Rigveda and the [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|Puranas]], iron making technology existed to fulfill man's needs for war and peace.<ref name=":1" />

Rigveda begins with a prayer to Agni to bless mankind with all worldly pleasures. One of the major contributions of the discovery of fire and pyrotechnology was its use for the extraction of metals from their minerals. Prakash<ref>Prakash, S. (1965) ''Founders of Science in Ancient India'', New Delhi: The Research Institute of Ancient Studies.</ref>  postulated and described the havankund (yajnakunda) as the open air laboratory of the Vedic times which may have been responsible for the discovery and development of the many new uses of the thermochemical energy.

Rigveda begins with a prayer to Agni to bless mankind with all worldly pleasures. One of the major contributions of the discovery of fire and pyrotechnology was its use for the extraction of metals from their minerals. Prakash<ref>Prakash, S. (1965) ''Founders of Science in Ancient India'', New Delhi: The Research Institute of Ancient Studies.</ref>  postulated and described the havankund (yajnakunda) as the open air laboratory of the Vedic times which may have been responsible for the discovery and development of the many new uses of the thermochemical energy.

* The '''iron trident in Tanginath temple''' belongs to 12th century A.D.

* The '''iron trident in Tanginath temple''' belongs to 12th century A.D.

* Babar used guns in first battle of Panipath in 1526 A.D. '''Guns''' were introduced in southern India by the Portuguese. Most Mughal guns were generally constructed of iron bars of square section.

* Babar used guns in first battle of Panipath in 1526 A.D. '''Guns''' were introduced in southern India by the Portuguese. Most Mughal guns were generally constructed of iron bars of square section.

During the 17th and 18th centuries the iron industry got a fillip and artisans producing iron and black-smiths making weapons were kept busy. Ironmaking was practiced widely in many parts of the country by artisans called '''lohars''', basing on naturally available iron ore and charcoal for reduction. This industry was active in various places in U.P., Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Mysore, Assam and Madras. The furnaces were small upto 3' in height and made of mud, with bellows being used to blow the air. The industrial revolution in the 18th century led to the West gaining superiority in materials development and utilization over the rest of the world.<ref name=":1" />

During the 17th and 18th centuries the iron industry got a fillip and artisans producing iron and black-smiths making weapons were kept busy. Ironmaking was practiced widely in many parts of the country by artisans called '''lohars''', basing on naturally available iron ore and charcoal for reduction. This industry was active in various places in U.P., Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Mysore, Assam and Madras. The furnaces were small up to 3' in height and made of mud, with bellows being used to blow the air. The industrial revolution in the 18th century led to the West gaining superiority in materials development and utilization over the rest of the world.<ref name=":1" />

In the 19th century, attempts were made in India for the manufacture of iron by modern methods. Kulti works consisted of two blast furnaces, each capable of producing 20 tonnes of grey pig iron for casting and foundry. Tata Iron and Steel Company which was founded in 1904 at Jamshedpur, performed its preliminary work during the closing decade of 19 century itself. With the establishment of Tata Iron & Steel Company Limited (TISCO), there was gradual extinction of old indigenous smelting industry carried on by persons known as Asura, Lohars and Agarias etc. The extinction was also due to limited supply of charcoal as a result of forest conservation. Later on many smelters started purchasing ready made iron and started working as a blacksmith in the villages. Metallurgical skills gained in India receded to the background being restricted to making of utensils, idols, ornaments, industries spe-cializing in exquisite crafts of idol making, jewellery etc., in selected areas including tribal areas all over the country. The ancient industry is still in existence in several parts of India such as Bastar in Chathisgarh State, Salem in Tamil Nadu, Jiragora (Koraput) in Orissa, Kamajoda (Joda) and Bishunpur in Bihar and also Nalanda, Valley, Mandla, Nagpur, Rajdoha and some remote region of Northern Eastern India.<ref name=":1" />

In the 19th century, attempts were made in India for the manufacture of iron by modern methods. Kulti works consisted of two blast furnaces, each capable of producing 20 tones of grey pig iron for casting and foundry. Tata Iron and Steel Company which was founded in 1904 at Jamshedpur, performed its preliminary work during the closing decade of 19 century itself. With the establishment of Tata Iron & Steel Company Limited (TISCO), there was gradual extinction of old indigenous smelting industry carried on by persons known as Asura, Lohars and Agarias etc. The extinction was also due to limited supply of charcoal as a result of forest conservation. Later on many smelters started purchasing ready made iron and started working as a blacksmith in the villages. Metallurgical skills gained in India receded to the background being restricted to making of utensils, idols, ornaments, industries specializing in exquisite crafts of idol making, jewelry etc., in selected areas including tribal areas all over the country. The ancient industry is still in existence in several parts of India such as Bastar in Chhattisgarh State, Salem in Tamil Nadu, Jiragora (Koraput) in Orissa, Kamajoda (Joda) and Bishunpur in Bihar and also Nalanda, Valley, Mandla, Nagpur, Rajdoha and some remote region of Northern Eastern India.<ref name=":1" />

The iron produced in the indigenous furnaces was wrought iron. It contained low percent-age of carbon due the lower absorption of carbon in ancient iron making furnaces. Steel was produced by carburization of wrought iron during this period. It is said that '''India is the first producer of carbon steel (wootz)'''. In fact, India was considered to be the center of origin of iron and steel industry in the world. It is possible that iron age in India had started about 3000 years before the industry started in European countries. The '''Damascus swords''' which became famous in Europe were made from Indian wootz. In those days, Hyderabad and Madras in South India were the centres of production of wootz. The '''process of wootz making''' was specially popular in the districts of Salem and Tiruchirappalli in Madras, besides the Hyderabad area, in Andhra Pradesh and Mysore. The ancient Indian steel was highly priced in world market. The possibility of a country wide manufacture of iron existing from quite early times, is also indicated by the references to the working of iron mines in Bajuha, Subha Bengal, Keroh, Subha Kashmir, Kumaon, Khasi Hills, Subha Delhi, besides at Nirmal and Indore in Ain-i-Akbari.<ref name=":1" />

The iron produced in the indigenous furnaces was wrought iron. It contained low percent-age of carbon due the lower absorption of carbon in ancient iron making furnaces. Steel was produced by carburization of wrought iron during this period. It is said that '''India is the first producer of carbon steel (wootz)'''. In fact, India was considered to be the center of origin of iron and steel industry in the world. It is possible that iron age in India had started about 3000 years before the industry started in European countries. The '''Damascus swords''' which became famous in Europe were made from Indian wootz. In those days, Hyderabad and Madras in South India were the centres of production of wootz. The '''process of wootz making''' was specially popular in the districts of Salem and Tiruchirappalli in Madras, besides the Hyderabad area, in Andhra Pradesh and Mysore. The ancient Indian steel was highly priced in world market. The possibility of a country wide manufacture of iron existing from quite early times, is also indicated by the references to the working of iron mines in Bajuha, Subha Bengal, Keroh, Subha Kashmir, Kumaon, Khasi Hills, Subha Delhi, besides at Nirmal and Indore in Ain-i-Akbari.<ref name=":1" />

# Preliminary roasting and calcinations

# Preliminary roasting and calcinations

# Reduction or smelting in a Blast Furnace  

# Reduction or smelting in a Blast Furnace  

Collection of raw materials: Iron is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust. Because of its strong affinity to oxygen, it is not found in the elemental state but predominantly in its combined forms such as oxides, and much less as sulphide and carbonate.  

'''Collection of raw materials''': Iron is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust. Because of its strong affinity to oxygen, it is not found in the elemental state but predominantly in its combined forms such as oxides, and much less as sulphide and carbonate.

== Extraction Process in Ancient Times ==

== Extraction Process in Ancient Times ==