Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c46.s3.10

v2.c46.s3.10

The insular attitude in India resulted in over-compartmentalisation of technology. Only specific tribes like muṇḍas practised iron-making (hence the name muṇḍaloha), bhīls practised zinc-making, turis gold and diamond-washing, kāṁsārīs bell-metal trading; there were low-caste gem-engravers and even the rasaśāstra experts dealing with plant and mineral-based medicines were known as vaidyas or fallen brāhmaṇas. (Roy, 1946) The different castes practising different aspects of trade rarely exchanged informations, only which could result in faster growth of science and technology in India. It has been well said that ‘the evils that caste system engendered cannot be over-estimated’.