The Original Dhu'l-Faqar

[AhmedH]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams AhmedH, I have a much clearer understanding now of how you have arrived at what I believe is an extremely important discovery. I have boiled it down to solid research based upon a handful of specialists...

The Big Four. viz;

Al Kindi, Colonel Dr Zaky, al Biruni, Abdul Hameed al-Kateb.

Al Kindi was the real information linkage and the trigger.
Col Dr Zaky the magnifying glass whose brilliant work helped you clear up much of the previous confusion and the other two experts Al Biruni and Abdel Hameed al Kateb whose vital doctrines and research cemented the whole theory together. It is indeed remarkable that with so many other specialists in the mixture that you were able to stay on track and with so many having differing views (as experts often have) it is a miracle you have remained focused.

I mentioned a handful ... normally reserved for up to 5 or so names... Yours is the 5th name for without your amazing insight and vision this gem of information could have remained buried... lost in plain sight ...forever.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaams all,

I would like to add that the Arabs regarded the best swords to be those that were "made of Indian [crucible] steel and were of Yemeni forge". Even the mentioning of "Hindi", "Muhannad", or "Hunduwani" for swords didn't mean that these swords were Indian; but rather "made of Indian crucible steel (or what is now known as wootz)".

Of course, Indian crucible steel had its disadvantages; especially that it became brittle in very cold temperatures (at -13 degrees Celsius, sword blades made of wootz when hitting armor would break like glass). This was noted by the early Islamic warriors in their campaigns in the Caucasus and Central Asia; something that made many of those warriors seek sword blades made of milder steel, or even pattern-welded blades.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you very much Ahmed for adding these important and intriguing observations on these swords with information most helpful in better understanding them. It seems I had heard of the wootz blades becoming terribly brittle and literally shattering in some cases, but wasn't clear in recalling the circumstances. Also confusing to me was the reference to Arab swords 'from' India, and your explanation is most helpful.
As you noted in your previous post, what is important in our discussion is constructive material, comments and questions.

All best regards,
Jim

[AhmedH]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thank you very much Ahmed for adding these important and intriguing observations on these swords with information most helpful in better understanding them. It seems I had heard of the wootz blades becoming terribly brittle and literally shattering in some cases, but wasn't clear in recalling the circumstances. Also confusing to me was the reference to Arab swords 'from' India, and your explanation is most helpful.
As you noted in your previous post, what is important in our discussion is constructive material, comments and questions.

All best regards,
Jim

My pleasure, my duty, Jim. Actually, the study of medieval arms and armor; especially medieval Arab swords, was something that captured my interest for many years. That there are more than 100 Arab swords dating back to 600-1260 CE in Topkapi, Askeri Museum, and some private collections is something very intriguing for serious study. Add to that the many great sources in the form of treatises, historical narrations, poems, etc; all that makes the study of Arab swords in the aforementioned period enjoyable; since the data is available and exists in abundance.

As ever,
Ahmed Helal Hussein