History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c36.s2.4

v1.c36.s2.4

(2) *Birch-bark (Bhūrja-patra)*: *Bhūrja* (Baetula *Bhojapattra*), the inner bark of the tree was the most popular material for writing manuscripts, specially in northern-western India (Buhler, p.112). Upon it writings were carried out with a reed pen and ink of special kind. This tree grew in abundance in the Himalayan region, from which it spread to other parts of the country. In the early Sanskrit texts, the bark has been described as spotted like the skin of an elephant.