Hi Roland,
It's true about the Indian steel.
If you are interested about that, have a look at this book.
http://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/medi...ordmaking.html
You'll have all kind of swords, the best blades were from India & Persia.
Somewhere around the 15th c. the situation changed and Muslims started to import European blades...
Best wishes,
Kubur