[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) › v2.c40.s2.7 # Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c40.s2.7 Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c40.s2.7 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c40.s2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c40.s2.7) Pāṇini mentioned that the words \*lohitāyasa\* (copper), \*trapu\* (tin), \*kāṃsya\* (bronze or bell metal) had been used in the Vedic literatures. A newly defined term \*trāpusam\* meant modification or \*vikāra\* of \*trapu\*, i.e., an alloy of tin, just as \*jātusam\* meant modification of \*jatu\* or lac (Pāṇ., 4.3.138). This shows that tin and bronze (copper-tin alloy; \*kāṃsa\*) were commonly used during Pāṇini's time. Whether \*kāṃsa\* meant brass (copper-zinc alloy) also, is not known. Possibly brass became popular in Taxilā after the instrusion of the Greeks. \*Ghosa\* came to mean bronze long after Pāṇini's time. Pāṇini was probably the first to mention the word \*kupya\* indicating base metal other than gold and silver (3.1.114). - [Previous: v2.c40.s2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c40.s2.6) - [Next: v2.c40.s3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c40.s3.1) - [Up: v2.c40.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c40.s2) ## Cites (1) - [Aṣṭādhyāyī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.vyakarana.astadhyayi-school.astadhyayi.4.3.138) — Pāṇini, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c40.s2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c40.s2.7) · Pramāṇa