History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s4.t1.9

v1.c20.s4.t1.9

Besides these colouring materials of plant origin, rinds of pomegranates, pulps of wood apples, flowers of *kiṃśuka*, *aśoka*, *harśiṅgār* (*Nyctanthes arborist*), *dhao* (*Grislea tomentosa*), saffron, seeds of *tun*, tamarind, mango, juice of grapes, *jambu* fruits, molasses, and resins, *dhāk* (*Bhutea frondosa*), burnt coconut shells, burnt twigs of special trees, rice flour, etc. were also widely used in preparing dyes and pigments for various purposes. Extracts of some of them were used as binders, vehicles etc. for the pigments. Extracts of myrobalans, betel leaves, *asana kusuma* and *asana kaṣāya*, *mardayantī*, *kakubhaphalam* (Arjuna), *hiṅgula* (minium), gall nuts, ink nuts etc. may also be added to the list of colouring agents of vegetable origin.