Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c24.s2.t2.1

v1.c24.s2.t2.1

The Graeco-Roman word for realgar, the red sulphide of arsenic was sandarake; this must have been derived from the Sanskrit word sindūraka for vermilion. Pliny wrote (34.55): “the redder it (realgar) is the more pure and friable, and the more powerful its odour, the better it is in quality. It is detergent, astringent, healing and corrosive, but it is most remarkable for its antiseptic properties”. Realgar used to be brought from Persia and Carmania as a medicine to the Indian marts of Barygaza, Muziris and Nelcynda.