Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c46.s3.2

v2.c46.s3.2

Much of their criticisms are valid. The early casteless Ṛgvedic society gradually introduced a rigid caste system and sanctified it by the so-called ‘divine sanction’. The isolation of the low-caste artisans from the high-caste scholars affected Indian science since the early days. We have mentioned in chapter 3 an ancient tradition that the ritual milking pot was not to be prepared by a low-caste potter! Even metals like gold, copper and newly discovered iron were considered to possess decreasing social status. The concept of hereditary caste permeated into the subject of classification of minerals. According to Rasaratnasamuccaya (RRS), diamond could have four colours or ‘castes’! What was worse, such a classification theory for materials, based on caste, was claimed to have universal applicability :