History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t7: (VI.1) Tin

v1.c13.s2.t7.1

Mention of Tin(Trapu, Vanga) has been made in Vedas (Yajurveda 30.14) but no extraction process or specific use has been described till the introduction of bronze. In India very meagre deposits of tin bearing ore have been reported from Hazaribagh and Chota Nagpur area and most probably this metal or its oxide mineral Cassiterite was brought from Burma or Malaya. One of its name Vanga is probably derived from the Eastern part of Bengal where probably its use was begun. Murthy and Rao (1990) have recently published a detailed review of tin in Ancient India. The earlier bronze was most probably made by co-reduction of mixed ore of Casseterite and Cuprite or oxidized Chalcopyrite. In the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh the local tribal craftsmen are still continuing the traditional method of production of bronze metal and bronze idols and other objects using the ancient 'cire- perdue' technology. Tin has also been used to prepare low melting soldering alloys and coinage metals. These will be discussed in more detail under preparation of alloys.