The Institutes of Akbar 27.6

27.6

Practical men form of the above seven bodies several compounds, used for ornaments, vessels, &c. Among them I may mention, 1. Safídrú, which the people of Hindustan call Kánsí. It is a mixture of 4 sérs of copper to 1 sér of tin, melted together. 2. Rúí, 4 sérs of copper to 1½ sérs of lead. It is called in this country bhangár. 3. Brass, which the Hindus call pítal, is made in three ways, first, 2½ sérs copper to 1 sér rúh i tútíyá, which is malleable, when cold; secondly, 2 sérs of copper to 1 sér of rúh i tútíyá, which is malleable, when heated; thirdly, 2 sérs of copper to 1 sér of rúh i tútíyá, not worked with the hammer, but by casting. 4. Sím i sukhtah, composed of lead, silver, and bronze; it has a black lustre, and is used in painting. 5. Haftjúsh, which, like the khárchíní, is nowhere to be found; it is said to consist of six metals. Some call it táliqún, whilst others give this name to common copper. 6. Ashtdhát, a compound of eight metals, viz., the six of the haftjúsh, rúh i tútíyá, and kánsí. It is also made of seven components. 7. Kaulpatr, 2 sérs of safídrú, and 1 sér of copper. It is coloured, and looks well, and belongs to the inventions of his Majesty.