History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.6

v1.c18.6

It is worthwhile to mention here that *kajjali* and *parpaṭi* in which mercury converts into black sulphide compound are though, found mentioned in *Cakradatta* (11th A.D) however, their systematic preparation and frequent use in therapeutics could be seen only during 12th century A.D i.e. after the development of *Mūrcchanā* process in Indian Pharmaceutics. Further the *Kūpipakva rasāyanas* (mercurial compounds of red sulphide type) prepared through *Bālukā Yantra* system of heating in *kāca kūpi* (glass bottle prepared specifically) could be prepared only after the development of *Mūrcchanā* process. Besides a few apparatuses and a specific heating system/method is also found referred to in *Rasendra Cintamani* (12th century A.D). The *Rasa Sindura*, *Makaradhvaja* and *Rasa Karpūra* are some of the examples of *Kūpipakva rasāyanas* and deserve mention in this context.