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
65 (of 71)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
CUNI ruby, from curnik膩 or small ruby
CUNA PATHAR limestone, produces c奴峁嘺 or lime
CULIK膧 LAVANA sal ammoniac
JABARJAD olivine, peridot
JAWHARMUHRA jade
J脛MIRA purple amethyst; quartz with Mn
JARANA amalgamation
TANKANA borax
TAMDI, TAMRYA, TAMRI garnet, carbuncle.
TAMRA copper
TARA silver
TARAMANI star sapphire.
TARK SYA emery or corundum with iron
TALA orpiment, bell-metal
TALAKA orpiment
TIKSNA steel, carburised iron
TIKSNA DH膧TU iron ore
TUTTHAKA, INUTE blue vitriol, cusc
TUVARI alum
TRAPU tin
DARADA cinnabar
DASTA zinc
DURDURA flaky laminated zinc ore
DRAVANAVARGA flux
DHATU metal and metal-bearing ore
NAVASARA potassium chloride/carbonate fertiliser
NAGA lead
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