11th century was a tough time to be in the Middle East. On one side you had Islam becoming the predominant religion and on the other, you had the Christians who wanted to put an end to the domination
To decide who's the best, in 200 years, both fought 4 wars, called Crusades
To decide who's the best, in 200 years, both fought 4 wars, called Crusades
The wars ebbed and flowed, till the arrival of a dude called Saladin.
Saladin united all the Muslim troops, defeated the Crusaders repeatedly and captured Jerusalem. Many people believe Saladin saved Islam when it was most vulnerable.
But there was one more element to him.
Saladin united all the Muslim troops, defeated the Crusaders repeatedly and captured Jerusalem. Many people believe Saladin saved Islam when it was most vulnerable.
But there was one more element to him.
One of the most famous representation of Saladin, was with his sword. The sword was supposed to be legendary, so much so that it cut thru the armour of the Crusaders, as it was butter.
In fact many accounts say it was the quality of the swords that made the victory possible.
In fact many accounts say it was the quality of the swords that made the victory possible.
As the crusaders first encountered in Damascus, they called it the Damascus Sword.
The forging of the Damascus sword involved such an intricate process, that formed Carbon nano particles within the steel. This made the steel virtually indestructible and the swords, unstoppable
The forging of the Damascus sword involved such an intricate process, that formed Carbon nano particles within the steel. This made the steel virtually indestructible and the swords, unstoppable
Fact is that, the Damascus sword, was not made in Damascus at all
It was actually invented in a small Village called Kodumanal, which is in Erode
It was a part of the Chera Empire at that time. They exported this steel to Sri Lanka, from there it went to the middle east
It was actually invented in a small Village called Kodumanal, which is in Erode
It was a part of the Chera Empire at that time. They exported this steel to Sri Lanka, from there it went to the middle east
The original name was Seric Steel, from the Persian name for the Chera Empire. The Sri Lankans and locals called it, Ucham, which means the highest quality.
The Ucham then was mispronounced by the Brits as Wootz steel. The one they say made the Damascus Swords.
The Ucham then was mispronounced by the Brits as Wootz steel. The one they say made the Damascus Swords.
The steel and swords that were made in Erode, were so famous that many Arabic historians wrote many paeans about it. Arab travellers wrote that this steel was the best in the world.
A Persian phrase, "Cut with an Indian sword" meant a befitting reply.
A Persian phrase, "Cut with an Indian sword" meant a befitting reply.
People say Indians didn't know how to make weapons.
What we don't say is, that a sword made in Erode, kind of saved Islam itself.
What we don't say is, that a sword made in Erode, kind of saved Islam itself.
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