History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s2.t3.1

v1.c20.s2.t3.1

Ancient Indians knew the technique of adding kunkuma (saffron) dye to karpūra or camphor powder by placing the camphor powder in a crucible after treating it with kunkuma (Siv.R. VI. 25.50,51) In those days, drinks and sweets were also covered by adding approved colouring agents. We get a suggestion of this in Sivatattvaratnākara which gives a method of colouring curds (Siv. R. VI. 19.234-127).