Studies in Indian Art c12.s9.20

c12.s9.20

It is interesting to note here that viticulture was known in India from very early times. Watts supposed the plant and its products to have been known for perhaps 3000 years in this country (*Dictionary of Economic Products*, Vol. VI. part IV, p. 264). 'That the earliest classic literature of India necessitates our acceptance of the vine or of a vine as having been known to the Sankrit authors, is a matter upon which there can be little room for doubt' (ibid. p. 269). Grapes have been mentioned both by Suśruta and Charaka (ibid. p. 263). The best reference perhaps occurs in Kauṭilya who tells us that this commodity was being imported from the lands of Kāpiśī or Harahūra (northern and western Afghanistan): "*Mṛdvīkā-raso madhu. Tasya svadeśo vyākhyānaṃ Kāpiśāyanaṃ Hārahūrakamiti*" (Book II, ch. XXV).