History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s4.t1.5

v1.c20.s4.t1.5

Mañjiṣṭhā or maddar (Rubia tinctorium) is mentioned often in almost all ancient texts and seems to have been a very popular dye ever since the period of Harappan civilization. It is even known as the dyer's root. This is a perennial plant and the bulk of pigment is contained in the red mass of the fibrous root. The ancient Indians were adept in the technique of removing the colouring material from the roots which is said to be a complicated one. Alum (tuvarī, saurāṣṭrī) was the mordant used to fix the red colour of mañjiṣṭhā on cloth.