History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t3.3

v1.c13.s2.t3.3

As regards the trade with foreign countries Prakash, S.(1965) quotes Greek and Roman historians giving an account of the Indian Gold and Silver. Curtius Strobo and Philostratus mention the use of these metals in Ancient India. The accounts of Old Testaments show that Ophir mentions the export of Silver and Gold from India. Megasthanese has also mentioned the mining of these metals in various parts of India in the Neolithic-Chalcolithic and Megalithic period. Allchin (1968) has mentioned that Greek Drahams and Roman Dinars made from Indian Gold were in circulation for trade and often smelted for reuse. During the period of Asokan Empire its capital was known as *Suvarnagiri* and it was known for the Golden splendour.