Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c44.s5.t2.17

v2.c44.s5.t2.17

Bṛhat Saṁhitā reveals that during its era, the metallurgical activity in the country was intense. Gold was tested, melted, heated in the fire, hammered for testing its purity, purified nikaṣa santāpa abhiniveśaiḥ kanakasya eva adhikatarā amalīkṛtasya to make sacrificial ladles, thrones, images, etc. (Br. Saṁ., 26.9; 43.12; 47.46) Varāhamihira’s statement shows that in India of his time, there were silver mines or rajatākara (Br. Sam., 16.26). Red-hot copper, evidently used for casting into various shapes, was referred to: taptatāmraprabhābhaḥ (6.13). References were made to the metal-smiths who fabricated weapons, and made a living working on fires: