Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c9.123

c9.123

Superintendent of Mines (*Ākarādhyaksha*) [II. 12]. The Mining Superintendent should be a scientific expert on his subject, with a knowledge of sciences called (1) *Śulba-śāstra* (2) *Dhātu-śāstra* (3) *Rasa-pāka* and (4) *Maṇi-rāga*, a knowledge of Mines, a knowledge of seams and veins of ores (*bhū-śirā-vijñāna*), Metallurgy, Science of Mercury, Gems, and precious stones. He was to prospect new mines and discover old ones by the signs of slags, ashes and the like, and ascertain the value of ores from their mechanical and chemical properties. Various kinds of ore are mentioned as being worked in those days, viz., those of Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead (*Sīsa*), Tin (*Trapu*), Iron (*Tīkshṇa*), Bitumen (*Śilājatu*). Various metallurgical processes were employed for treating the ores and purging them of impurities by use of alkalies and for softening metals.