History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c12.s2.1

v1.c12.s2.1

Use of minerals by man dates back to Pleistocene period. In India, in the pre-vedic period mining and use of metals specially gold, silver, copper and gemstones have been mentioned extensively. The vedic period (Circa 1500 B.C.) saw considerable growth of mining and mineral industry. The Rgveda, the oldest composition of Aryans mentions the use of copper, bronze, gold and silver and Yajurveda mentions the use of gold, silver, copper, lead, tin and iron. But the earliest and most authentic record of information relating to mining and minerals is found in *Arthaśāstra*, composed by Kauṭilya. Metallurgy of copper and its alloys (brass and bronze) was highly developed during this period. By then mining of gold, copper, lead-zinc and silver had fully developed in different parts of the country.