[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.c44.1 # Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c44.1 Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c44.1 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c44.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44.1) So far, we have discussed the references to minerals and metals contained in the Vedic and post-Vedic literatures, and to the gems in the Indian gemmology texts known as Ratnaśāstra. It is surprising that Indians, who had known the uses of non-gem minerals and the manufacture of copper and iron from their respective compounds in the Pre-Historical period, wrote little about these materials. This may be explained in terms of gradual casteist division and compartmental isolation between the low caste metalsmiths and the high-caste philosopher-cum-writers. - [Previous: v2.c43.s5.28](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c43.s5.28) - [Next: v2.c44.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44.2) - [Up: v2.c44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44.1) · Pramāṇa