Iron in Ancient India c7.s5.t1.34

c7.s5.t1.34

3. " Shata-puta," " Sahasra-puta," " lauhas " have almost identical composition. Both are impure ferric oxide, the percentage of which varies from 78·1 to 84·6. Both are non-magnetic and " swim like duck " on water. On account of the very large number of " putas " in the course of which it undergoes maceration, powdering and roasting for a thousand times, the " shahasra puta " " lauha " is lighter and finer than " shata-puta." The time taken to prepare these lauhas is very long indeed. If one " puta " be finished in one day, the preparation of " shata-puta " takes more than three months, and that of " shahasra-puta " about three years. As the roasting is carried on in closed vessels the oxidation proceeds very slowly. If, however, open vessels be employed in future the time may be greatly curtailed.