Copper in Ancient India c8.s7: Copper Utensils
Copper in Ancient India c8.s7
- Language
- English
Copper Utensils
c8.s7.1
It has already been pointed out that such an ancient medical authority as Shusruta mentions the use of copper utensils.
c8.s7.2
Manu also mentions the use and purification of copper vessels. Megasthenes mentions that "vessels of Indian copper set with precious stones contributed to the brilliancy of the public ceremonies during Chandra Gupta's reign." Copper vessels from ancient times have been held by the Hindus to be sacred and almost all utensils meant for use in religious ceremonies such as *Jajnas* and *pujāhs* are invariably made of copper even at the present day. Even archaeological specimens of ancient copper utensils are available. One remarkable ancient copper *ghoti* or *lotā* was found by Major Hay in 1857 in the village of Kundla in the Kangra district, Punjab. It has been described by Sir George Birdwood in his *Industrial Arts of India* referred to by Mr. Vincent A. Smith in his 'History of Fine Arts in India and Ceylon.' The vessel looks like a modern *lotā*, but there is an inscribed scene running round it which represents Prince Siddhārtha (afterwards Buddha) going in a royal procession in a chariot drawn by four horses accompanied by horses, elephants and musicians. From the mode of the inscription of this legend Birdwood regards the vessel to be a specimen of copper-work of the 3rd century A.D, but Mr. Vincent A. Smith regards it to be a specimen of the first century B.C. At any rate this copper lotā is an authentic ancient specimen of Hindu art in copper utensil-making.
Linked texts (1)
- Suśrutasaṃhitā — Suśruta & Nāgārjuna (siddha/alchemist), Sanskrit