Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c33.5

v2.c33.5

Pāṇini’s *Aṣṭādhyāyī* contains the etymological roots of many technical terms, evolved during the post-Vedic period, and refers to bellows, beryl and coins (chapter 4) which have been found during the archaeological excavations at Taxilā. Kautilīya *Arthaśāstra* describes the Mauryan political economy, the emergence of a large state, the increasing role of mines in the state economy, a large variety of gems constituting the elements of international trade and the diversity of alloys, coins and ornaments (chapter 5).