Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c42.s2.t1.20

v2.c42.s2.t1.20

Such lavish use of pearls was possible only during the Mauryan and Post-Mauryan era. The use of bangles made out of conch-shell or *kambu* was rooted in the Harappan and the Post-Harappan chalcolithic traditions. However, at the time when the epic was written, shell bangles were used by lower class people only (2.54.13, 4.10.15-19, 4.15.2). Evidently, the newer commodities such as the fragrant *candana*, *aguru* and sandalwood from the South, were more attractive.