Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c42.s5.3

v2.c42.s5.3

Aṅguttara Nikāya (Vol.3, p.116) recognised five kinds of metal or jātarūpa: ayo (iron), loho (copper), tipu (tin), sisā (lead) and sajjha (silver). Knife and needle (sūci) made of iron were mentioned. Dhammapada Atthakathā referred to gold-brick, gold-plate and vessels of gold, silver, copper and bronze or kāmsa It also mentioned (Vol.1, p.79) about the traders or kāmsakuta who cheated with false metals, i.e., selling brass metals for gold. Brass is yellow like gold, and this reference shows that not only bronze, but brass also was indicated by the word kāmsa.