History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t4.200

v1.c13.s2.t4.200

A large number of these retorts has been found at Zawar. They are of two principal sizes with capacity of 750 c.c. and 2000 c.c., *Fig. 43* shows a photograph of two of these retorts. As described in *Rasa Ratna Samuccaya*, the main retort or crucible in the shape of a brinjal was made from a clay mixture consisting of locally available refractory clay, rice husk and sometimes mixed with iron ore dust. A large number of such compositions have been mentioned in the ancient Indian Literature.