Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c9.s3.35

c9.s3.35

India in the 17th century imported kermes which is called cochineal owing to the confusion of the nomenclatures from Persia, though it does not seem to have been very popular in this country. Sir Thomas Roe stands testimony to this fact. According to him, “Cochineal will never sell as certainty. Few know it. For a pound or two one may give a good price ; but it is no commoditie of use. Those of Sinda only buy it. The Persians bring a little and retaille it at 35 ruppies a great seere. Its restricted use seems due to the fact that it was used for preparing the carmine for painting only and not much could be absorbed that way.