A sort of steel of such surpassing
value and excellence, that in the days of yore a man who possessed a
mirror, or sword, of Andanic regarded it as he would some precious
jewel. This seems to me excellent evidence, and to give the true clue to
the meaning of Ondanique. I have retained the latter form because it
points most distinctly to what I believe to be the real word, viz.
Hundwaniy, "Indian Steel."[1] (See Johnson's Pers. Dict. and De
Sacy's Chrestomathie Arabe, II. 148.) In the Vocabulista Arabico, of
about A.D. 1200 (Florence, 1871, p. 211), Hunduwan is explained by
Ensis. Vuellers explains Hundwan as "anything peculiar to India,
especially swords," and quotes from Firdusi, "Khanjar-i-Hundwan," a
hanger of Indian steel.
The like expression appears in the quotation from Edrisi below as
Hindiah, and found its way into Spanish in the shapes of Alhinde,
Alfinde, Alinde, first with the meaning of steel, then assuming, that
of steel mirror, and finally that of metallic foil of a glass mirror.
(See Dozy and Engelmann, 2d ed. pp. 144-145.) Hint or Al-hint is
used in Berber also for steel. (See J. R. A. S. IX. 255.)
The sword-blades of India had a great fame over the East, and Indian
steel, according to esteemed authorities, continued to be imported into
Persia till days quite recent.
