History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s2.t2.6

v1.c20.s2.t2.6

Several literary works of ancient India contain many references to the use of cloth for writing, particularly for writing letters. Valkalapaṭṭikā or piece of bark garment was used for writing purposes. Passages from kādambarī of Bana refer to this and also to the use of fine white cotton stuff. The main ingredients that are mentioned in these passages are the extracts of leaves of tamāla tree mixed with the fragrant ichor of elephant and a dark blue dye.¹¹