Essay name: Minerals and Metals in Sanskrit literature
Author:
Sulekha Biswas
Affiliation: Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj University / Department of Sanskrit
This essay studies the presence of Minerals and Metals in Sanskrit literature over three millennia, from the Rigveda to Rasaratna-Samuccaya. It establishes that ancient Indians were knowledgeable about various minerals and metallurgy prior to the Harappan era, with literary references starting in the Rgveda.
Chapter 5 - Minerals and Metals in Kautiliya Arthashastra
1 (of 31)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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CHAPTER V
1-
MINERALS AND METALS IN KAUTILIYA ARTHASASTRA
Kautiliya Arthas盲stra is a store-house of information
regarding minerals and metals in ancient India of the pre-Christian
era. Before we discuss the technical details in this post-Panini
document, the controversy surrounding its authorship and date should
be briefly mentioned.
Different theories have suggested different dates for the
Arthas谩stra ranging from the fourth century B.C. to the third
century A.D. (Kangle, 1986; Mukherjee, 1987). Most scholars
however accept the traditional view that Kautilya, also known es
Canakya or Visnugupta, who destroyed the power of the Nandas and
placed Candragupta Maurya on the throne of the Magadha, is the
author of this work. Candragupta came to the throne around
321 B.C., and therefore it may be presumed that the work was under-
taken and completed in the later half of the fourth century B.C.
Although clear statements are found to the above effect in the text
(1.1.19 and 15.1.73), doubts have persisted.
We have the following strong arguments favouring the tradi-
tional view: (a) the traditional view has been endorsed by many
subsequent authors of the ancient India such as Kamandaka (author)
of Nitisara), Dandin (author of Dasakumaracarita), Bana (author of
