Copper in Ancient India c12.9

c12.9

Nepal has been famous for her copper in ancient times and even the old method of manufacturing copper still prevails there and in Sikkim Himalayas, an account of which was collected about fifty years ago by Mr. H.F. Blanford. We find that Nepal copper was highly prized for medical purposes in ancient India. Vrinda (9th century) in the preparation of sulphide of copper advises the use of Nepal copper. Rasaratnasamuchchaya (13th century) says "copper is of two kinds—that obtained from Nepal and that obtained from Mlechchha countries of these two kinds Nepal copper in much superior. Mlechchha copper is obtained from mines other than those in Nepal."[¹] From these and other references in all chemical treatises it appears that Nepal was famous for her copper and the product was highly pure.