[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Minerals and Metals in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996) › v1.c19.s5.t5.3 # Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c19.s5.t5.3 Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c19.s5.t5.3 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c19.s5.t5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v1.c19.s5.t5.3) Hegde (1987) has suggested that glass in India was an innovation of the PGW period, and \*sajjī maṭṭi\*, also called \*reh\*, \*khari\*, was used for making the early variety of soft glass. \*Sajjī maṭṭi\* is an alkaline, natural efflorescence, profusely found in the Ganga Valley, chiefly in mid-eastern and eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. During the summer months, it comes out as a superficial incrustation on the alluvial soil as a 2-3 cm thick layer of glistening, white, crystalline salt, shining brightly in sunlight. It assays 20-40 per cent soda, variable proportions of Na₂CO₃ and Na₂SO₄, 5-10 per cent lime and 50-70 per cent silica; its use with some raw material containing Fe and Cr in making the dark green soft glass, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, can be easily surmised. \*Sajjī maṭṭi\* was also used in providing the liquid glaze on the later day NBP wares. - [Previous: v1.c19.s5.t5.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v1.c19.s5.t5.2) - [Next: v1.c19.s5.t5.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v1.c19.s5.t5.4) - [Up: v1.c19.s5.t5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v1.c19.s5.t5) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v1.c19.s5.t5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v1.c19.s5.t5.3) · Pramāṇa