[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.c41.s5.2 # Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c41.s5.2 Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c41.s5.2 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c41.s5.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s5.2) In use as pigments were \*añjana\*, antimony sulphide (2.11.35; 2.12.6 & 24) \*manahśilā\*, red arsenic sulphide (2.12.2; 2.14.48 etc.), \*haritāla\*, yellow arsenic sulphide (2.14.48; 2.22.6) and \*hinguluka\*, mercuric sulphide (2.13.19 & 46 etc.). These were also used as alloying reagents. Another pigment \*gāndhāra\* red lead (2.14.35) was used like \*hinguluka\* for embedding gold on metals. \*Kāsīsa\* green iron sulphate (2.13.19) and \*sasyaka\*, blue copper sulphate (2.11.35; 2.12.6) were used for colouring agents and later as mordants in dyeing clothes. Corundum or \*kuruvinda\*, having hardness nine in Moh’s Scale, was appropriately used as an abrasive (2.14.48) like diamond powder. - [Previous: v2.c41.s5.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s5.1) - [Next: v2.c41.s5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s5.3) - [Up: v2.c41.s5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s5) ## Cites (1) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya.2.11.35) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s5.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c41.s5.2) · Pramāṇa