History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t12.10

v1.c13.s2.t12.10

Once the strength and properties of iron and steel were known the use of non-ferrous metals and alloys were confined only to domestic and other areas of human needs. The Indian metal craft was flourishing during the Mughal period but after the spread of the British Empire and the restrictions imposed by them in the form of production taxes and ban on export this industry died down. This disappearance of the ancient technology during 17th to 19th century was supported by the discovery of new alchemical principles and development of new industrial process of metal production in Europe. In the 20th century the condition has become so worst that the memory of ancient glory remained only in the form of stories narrated by old men and after the independence in 1947 India had to borrow the modern technology from western countries to set up steel plants and other industries.