Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c45.s9.7

v2.c45.s9.7

Both Subandhu (AD 400) in his work *Vāsavadattā*, and king Bhoja (AD 1000-1055) in his *Yuktikalpataru* referred to iron works, pillars and *lohaśāstra* texts on iron technology. Subandhu specifically mentioned in his work the then knowledge on different kinds of magnets and magnetised iron. We have mentioned in the previous chapter Varāhamihira’s detailed description about quenching of steel swords (*Br. Saṃ.*, 50.23-26) which definitely resulted in martensitic transformation and hardening of steel. Uses of water, oil, milk, blood and other quenching media resulted in different rates of cooling and different degrees of martensitisation and hardening.