Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c18.s5.4

v1.c18.s5.4

Neogi (1917, 1979: 21-22) referred to the big solid copper bolt found in the Rāmpurwā Aśoka Pillar near the Nepalese border. It was evidently employed in fastening the colossal lion-shaped stone capital to the pillar itself. The bolt is barrel-shaped in appearance and slightly tapering at the two ends. It is 24-1/2 inches long, circumference at the centre being 14 inches and at the sides about 12 inches. Originally cast, this piece was ‘exquisitely worked into shape apparently with hammer, slight marks of which are still visible’.