History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s3.t3.2

v1.c20.s3.t3.2

However, leaving aside the mythological episode, the origin of paints dates back to pre-historic times when the people of that early period recorded some of their activities in colours (generally red and black) on the walls of caves. These were only crude earths or clays suspended in water. By about the Vedic period, ancient Indians had a wide number and variety of colours for painting pictures.