Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c6.s2.t1.21

c6.s2.t1.21

Mention may well be made here of the dyeing industry of Hindustan. The land was rich in indigo, and the people, irrespective of sex or age, were fond of bright colours. Various accounts refer to *saris* with dyed borders and to other silks and muslins with many coloured stripes. Thus the dyeing industry and calico-painting went hand in hand with the manufacture of cloth. Barbosa and Varthema both refer to ‘painted cloth’. The former also speaks of ‘quilts and testers of beds finely worked and painted’, and quilted articles of dress.⁵ 2. Metal-work.—Next in importance to textiles were a number of industries based on metal-work. Metal-work has a very old tradition in India, to which many ancient idols and the Delhi pillar bear witness. It is only during the last century that the position of the Indian metal workers has changed so completely.¹ Iron, mercury and lead mines existed in India and were worked to a certain degree, though the output does not appear to be very considerable.² Abu'l Fazl definitely states that Indian metal workers fully understand how to handle various metals, namely iron, brass, silver, zinc (kansi), mixed metal (hasht-dhat) and mica (kol-pattar).³ The industry of sword-making was well established even in very ancient times, so that the Indian sword and dagger have passed into the classical terminology of Arabic and Persian. Under the Sultans of Delhi the art of manufacturing fine steel was by no means dead; in fact, all conditions point to a greater stimulus and increased activity in this direction.⁴ We have spoken of some articles of common use before. We can add to them the manufacture of 'basins, cups, steel guns, knives, and scissors' which was noticed by the Chinese traveller Mahuan in Bengal.⁵