History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c36.s2.16

v1.c36.s2.16

Though there was difference regarding the preparation of pulp from different materials, yet it is known that generally the rags were thoroughly cleansed, boiled and beaten into a pulp with water to the consistency of cream. A finely woven wire sieve was dipped into the vat (dāba). A horizontal shaking motion was given to the sieve, which caused the fibres to felt or interlock, the water draining away through the fine holes in the sieve. The sheet was then placed between felt and subjected to pressure. After drying, the paper was dipped in size (*maṇḍi*) to render it non-porous, and finally dried and smoothed it through roller under pressure. To size the paper and render it fit for ink, a glue, somewhat gelatinous, was first prepared in the vessel which contained this mixture, a rod was placed and a cleft stick used for holding the sheet of paper during the process of dipping. As soon as the paper had been saturated, it was withdrawn by gently rolling it round the stick which had been laid over the vessel. The sheet of paper was afterward hung to dry. It was then smoothened and polished by rubbing it on wood with the convex side of a chank-shell. Jute, sunn, ambaree, moorve, old sacks and finishing nets were also used as raw materials. Forbes Royle states that the fibrous parts of many lily and aloe-leafed plants have been converted into excellent paper in India; the fibres of tiliaceous, malvaceous and leguminous plants are employed for the same purpose. (Ghori and Rahman, 1966, pp. 133-49).