[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Copper in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.neogi-1918) › c9.2 # Copper in Ancient India c9.2 Copper in Ancient India c9.2 - **Language:** English ### [c9.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.neogi-1918.c9.2) The principal use of copper, besides in coinage, lies, as is well known, in making alloys. We would now proceed to give here a short account of the various alloys of copper used in ancient India, the most important being \*riti\* or \*pittala\* (brass) and \*kāmsya\* (bronze). That \*kāmsya\* meant bell-metal, also used in making gongs and other articles, is evident from a passage in Amarkosha’s lexicon (6th century A.D.) in which \*kāmsya-tāla\*-is mentioned as one of the many musical instruments prevalent in ancient India.¹ Bell-metal contains a greater percentage of tin than bronze. - [Previous: c8.s8.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.neogi-1918.c8.s8.3) - [Next: c9.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.neogi-1918.c9.3) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.neogi-1918.c9) ## Cites (1) - [Nāmaliṅgānuśāsana (Amarakośa)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.art.kosa.paryaya.amarakosa*bo) — Classical Tibetan --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.neogi-1918.c9.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.neogi-1918.c9.2) · Pramāṇa