History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t4.186

v1.c13.s2.t4.186

Signs of ancient working have been found at depths of well over 110 m and by cutting tunnels at depths of 470 m in the Zawarmala hills. The mine has been worked by a form of pillar and stall technique, with both being very characteristically rounded by fire setting. Fig.39 shows the inside view of the mine with an old scaffold. Some of the deeper parts of the mine were certainly below the water table and these were worked by ‘finger stoping’ with declined galleries 3-5 m diameter radiating down the depth of upto 50 m from the wider stopes or chambers above. The inner side of the mine was worked very methodically, the floor was kept clean and well lit by oil lamps placed at suitable distances. Clean drinking water was also put in large earthen jars. Transport of the ore, waste, timber and water must have been a major task and for this good pathways were made with wood and stone. Wooden scaffolds were used for piller’s removal, preparation of water dams and launders for the transport of material from one level above to the main ground level. Fig. 40 shows some of the iron tools, hammers and chisels found inside the mine.