Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c6.s2.t1.23

c6.s2.t1.23

¹ Compare I.G.I., IV, 128 on the decline of chemical industries :— 'In this respect India of to-day stands in contrast to the India of a century ago. The high quality of the native-made iron, the early anticipation of the process now employed in Europe for the manufacture of highclass steels and the artistic products in copper and brass gave the country a prominent position in the ancient metallurgical world, while as a chief source of nitre India held a position of peculiar political importance until, less than forty years ago, the chemical manufacturer of Europe found, among his by-products, cheaper and more effective compounds for the manufacture of explosives.'