Copper in Ancient India c12.12

c12.12

Hiuen-Tsiang in the course of his travels in the seventh century observed several places in India where copper and other metals were obtained. Writing about Kin-lutto, identified as the district of Kulu in the upper valley of the Biyas River, he mentions "gold, silver, copper are found here, fine drops (crystal) and native copper (teon),"¹ whilst in Brahmupura, identified by Cunningham as British Garhwal and Kumaun "the country produces teon-shih (native copper) and rock crystal."² Writing about India generally the Chinese traveller wrote "gold, silver, teon-shih (native copper), white jade, fine pearls are the natural products of the country."³ What Hiuen Tsiang exactly meant by "teon-shih" or native copper is difficult to understand. If he meant by it copper obtained in nature in the metallic condition, this natural or native copper would be important, as free copper is not frequently found in nature.