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.
Appendix A - Scientific information on the Minerals used
10 (of 71)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
A-10 JASPER - see Quartz. The name from Latin iaspis, Persian lashm KAOLIN. and jashp. China-clay. Name from the Chinese hill Kauling. Phyllosilicate. Al4Si4010 (OH) Dull earthy-white. Dull earthy-white. Soft. Hardness 8 2-2.5. Product of decomposition of feldsper, granite etc.
May be
associated with quartz, iron oxide etc. Pure variety for pottery,
porcelain or china were etc.
LAPIS LAZULI. This richly coloured blue material is a heterogenou
mixture of Sodalite group of minerals:
Lazurite Na2A12S120, Na2S (Chief constituent)
Hauynite Na Al Si208, 2Caso
and Sodalite Na AlSi20 NaCl
and also several other mineral phases arising out of limestone-
granite contact metamosphism.
When powdered, constitutes the durable paint called
ultramarine.
Massive lapis lazuli widely used in the past as gems, for
making vases, furnitures, mosaies etc.
The name from Pensian lazhward, Sanskrit Rajavarta.
LAZURITE - see Lapis Lazuli
LIMESTONE
see Calcite
