Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c42.s2.t1.18

v2.c42.s2.t1.18

Pearls, *muktā* or *mauttika* (Pāli) also came from Sri Lanka (2.48.30) and Gulf of Mannar. In the Vedic literatures, peral was known as *kṛśan*. This was probably conch-pearl or the darker variety from the Persian Gulf or the black mis-shapen perals from the winnow oysters of the Saurashtra backwaters (Lad, 1983: 30). During the historical period, the much better species of oysters (*Pinetada Vulgaris*), flourishing in the Gulf of Mannar and noted for its beautiful silvery white colour, were exploited for the pearl trade. There are many references to pearls in the *Mahābhārata* (1.191.13; 7.73.25; 9.34.31; 9.61.32; 11.165.17 etc.) Pearl necklaces were quite common (3.108.9; 3.146.25). A delicate network of pearls known as *muktājāla* used to be hung from doorways (13.20.36-37) and pillars in an auditorium etc.