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History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s4.t3: Mineral Substances

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s4.t3

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Mineral Substances

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Among mineral substances red ochre (*gairika*) which produces red colour for dyeing was well-known in ancient India. Two types of red ochres are mentioned. *Pāṣāṇa gairika* is a hard copper coloured substance while *svarṇa gairika* is a softer one of the deep red colour (*Siv. R. VI. 23.108-109*). This is grouped under the uparasas. Red ochre was the most widely used mineral pigment. The term ochre refers to a large class of natural pigments with colours varying from red to yellow, consisting essentially of hydrated iron oxides, often diluted with clay.

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Haritāla or yellow orpiment was used for obtaining yellow colours. This is also a uparasa according to the ancient texts on Alchemy. It is of two kinds, of leafy structure and in the form of balls or cakes and is of golden colour (Śiv. R. VI.23.110-111).

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Kāsisa (sulphate of iron) is of two kinds vālukā and puspa. The former is of green variety and used in dyes, particularly in hair dyes. Manahśilā (Realgar) is of three kinds śyāmala of dark red colour, karavīraka of golden colour, manda in the form of powder of deep red colour. Sasyaka is a mineral found in five varieties of colours and is said to impart colour to minerals.²⁰

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Añjana or collyrium is also of five kinds sauvīrāñjana, rasāñjana, śrotāñjana, puṣpāñjana and nīlāñjana. The extracts of these añjanas were used as cosmetics to the eyes (Śiv. R. VI,23; 115.116).

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The process of manufacturing sindūra is given and four types of sindura are mentioned in some texts. Vasanta kusumākara sindūra has the colour of campak with some fragrance, is soft and delinquescent. The other three types are rājamṛga, bhūpati, pūrṇacandrodaya with the shades of brhati flower, atasī flower and pomegrenate flower respectively.

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Giri sindūra (red lead) is described as found in the form of crest of anthills and when broken, has a tinge of blue lotus and on rubbing it yields red colour²¹. It is found in mountainous regions and is a sort of powder or dust found inside stones (Śiv. R. VI.23.112,113). For using sindūra as colouring matter it was treated with Realgar (manaḥśilā).

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Some of the other mineral substances that were used in ancient and medieval India for dyeing and colouring purposes were rājāvarta (Lapis Lazuli), rasaka (calamine), ferric oxide (minium), sudhā (lime), yellow ochre, trapu (lead), kankuṣṭha, blue vitriol, etc. Three kinds of hingula (vermilion) are mentioned as useful in medicine, in colouring metals and in colouring mercury. The three kinds are: camara of very deep colour, śukatuṇḍa of slightly yellowish tinge and haṃsapāda of the colour of birth red jāpakusuma and this type is considered the best.²² Rajāvarta is slightly red at centre with a bluish tinge.

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In texts like Rasaratnasamuccaya, Rasasiddhāntaśāsanam also we get information about mineral substances used for dyeing and colouring.

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