Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c33.4

v2.c33.4

After an introduction to the subject in chapter 1, this dissertation begins with the *Ṛgvedic* evidences of the ancient metallurgy in India (chapter 2). The post-Ṛgvedic literature (chapter 3) mentioned specific metals including iron, a few gems and non-gem minerals. Surprisingly however, the details of iron-making or the newly invented potteries such as PGW/NBPW are not found even in the later Vedic literatures; this is probably an effect of the casteist division in the society.