History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c36.s1.7

v1.c36.s1.7

In another process the writing on copper-plate was done by casting in a mould of sand. A particular reference to the preparation of Sohgaura copper-plate (Fleet, 1907, p. 510) may be made here. The plate, instead of being hammered, was cast in a mould of sand, on which letters and emblems were previously scratched with a pointed instrument. These, therefore, appeared on the plate in relievo. The engraving of letters in some early epigraphs, like the Kalwan plate, was done by dots instead of continuous strokes. Incorrect letters of the record, in certain cases, were re-engraved after hammering; traces of earlier letters in such cases appear to be exhibited. With a view to preserving the document, rims of the plate were raised and thickened.