History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s4.t3.1

v1.c20.s4.t3.1

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.