History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c26.s3.t2.6

v1.c26.s3.t2.6

Was liquor made in the Indus valley? Perhaps not just brewed, but even distilled. Using clay objects found at all Harappan sites, a distillation unit has been assembled (Mahdi Hassan, 1979, p. 264). On the mouth of a water pot was placed a well-fitting circular basin with a wide circular hole at the bottom. In this was cradled a smaller basin with holes in its base. Alcohol boiled in the lower pot rose through the holes; was condensed on the underside of a handled receptacle holding cold water that was placed above the assembly, and then fell into the annular space of the fitted basin. The only special vessel required was the small perforated basin; this has repeatedly been found in excavations without a satisfactory use having been ascribed to it.