Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c44.9

v2.c44.9

Vātsyāyana of the fourth century AD elaborated on chemical changes initiated by external or internal heat (Vātsyāyana-bhāṣya, ch. IV, āhnika 1, sūtra, 47). The above postulates, as well as the Greek theories of atomism could not advance very far on account of lack of experimentation, only which could spur further investigation in this scientific topic. (Ray, Priyada Ranjan, 1966 and 1986: 136-51) Thus the Indian expertise on minerals and metals remained isolated from the theoretical notions of matter and its constitution.