History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c12.11

v1.c12.11

Metallurgy of copper and its alloys (brass and bronze) was highly developed during this period. A remarkable use of brass was made in the constructional work of an unfinished Vihara (convent) made near Nalanda (Bihar). The Taxila remains (now in Pakistan) consist of ornaments, toilet articles, household vessels, surgical and other instruments of this metal and its alloys. A white alloy of nickel and copper was in use for coinage and jewellery and solders made of tin and its alloy have also been discovered. The famous Chinese traveller Huien Tsang has written about the colossal Statue of Buddha (24 m high) found near Nalanda which is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Purnavaraman (7th century A.D).