History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s2.t2.5

v1.c20.s2.t2.5

Rasaratnākara of Nityanāthasiddha of about 1200 A.D. gives recipes for preparing ink for writing on palm leaves and birch barks. The ingredients prescribed are abhaya (haritākī, chebulic myrobalan), āmalaka (Emblic myrobalan), nīlikā (dyer's indigo), kāsīsam (Green vitriol), vibhītaka (Beleric myrobalan), kārṣṇayam (black iron), sahacarapatram (Justicia ecbolium), oil of vibhitaka, flowers of sahacara, seeds of mango, asanakusuma (flowers of kino tree), lohacūrṇam (powder of iron), extract of decoction of asana, etc. Most of the above ingredients are no doubt dye-producing agents used in the preparation of inks of various colours (Ray, p.236)