Copper in Ancient India c9.8

c9.8

A number of alloys of copper was used in India during the Moghul period of her history. We find mention of several alloys of copper in the Ayeen Akbari. *Kāmsya* or "sefaidru" was a composition of four seers of copper and one seer of tin melted together, the proportion of copper and tin being the same as in Rasaratna-samuchchya. *Rowee* was an alloy of copper and lead being made of four seers of copper and one and a half seer of lead. Brass, *berinj* or *peetal* was made of two seers of copper and one and a half seers of *ruh-i-tutia*. *Seem Suckhteh* was an alloy of silver, lead and copper, being of deep colour and very bright and was used in silvering. "His Perfect Majesty" Emperor Akbar was the inventor of another alloy of copper viz. "cowelputter" compounded of two seers of bronze and one seer of copper, being a "very elegant and beautiful composition."¹