History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t4.96

v1.c13.s2.t4.96

(iv) *Preparation and operation of the furnace*: It was the duty of women to clean the surrounding of the furnace, roast the ore and break it into 3-5 mm sizes, store sufficient quantity of charcoal and also repair the furnace with clay. They also prepared ‘nari’ clay, piled sand, earth and red iron ore dust near the furnace and also stored sufficient quantity of water in wooden *Kotana* (trough) and earthen pots.