History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t2.2

v1.c13.s2.t2.2

When the pan containing the suspension is agitated under water gold particles settle at the bottom of the pan and the sand and soil are washed away. For large scale working big pans were hung in the river water through a sling so that the mixture could be easily agitated. After the Gold particle was separated from the gangue (Qz and clay etc.) it was sold to the Goldsmiths for melting, refining and shaping of the metal. Dikshitar (1951) has mentioned that the labourers employed for Gold washing were known as ‘Sonwals’. McCrindle (1901) has mentioned that in Assam Gold Washing was being carried out at Suparnakudya (now Sonkudita) even in the 18th century and Sonwals used to pay custom duty annually to the Government in the form of Gold fines worth Rs.5/- During the Ahom’s rule about 10,000 people were employed in this trade. Sharma (1992) has reported that gold panning is being carried out even today by tribals of Rajgarh from the Eeb river, a tributary of Mahanadi and they are able to extract 4200 kg of gold per annum.