Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c44.s6.t1.13

v2.c44.s6.t1.13

Rasārṇava mentioned three kinds of kṣāra or alkali: taṅkaṇa or borax, yavakṣāra (carbonate of potash in the ash of barley) and sarjikā or river bed sodium carbonate/bi-carbonate (5.35-36). Eight mahārasas (RNV, 7.2-3) included srotāñjana which was probably copper/antimony/cobalt sulphide, found on the banks of river and later colloquially known (in Rajasthan) as sohtā.