History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c14.s3.3

v1.c14.s3.3

The exact process of extraction (or segregation) of crude metal from native metal deposits and also the exact process of purification or refining of crude metal varied from metal to metal, as suggested by mediaeval and modern experience. However, a few early and mediaeval treatises perhaps indicate that firing of the metal was an essential part of each method (Dravyaparīkṣā, 17ff; Āīn-i-Akbarī, 6,3-9; 10-14; Viccaji; Ray, 1956, p.209 vide Parrington, 1961 pp. 716ff; Arthaśāstra IV, 4, 20; 11,13, 9 and 49).