A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c16.s3.5

v1.c16.s3.5

The distillation of alum is referred to in Rasārnava and of green vitriol in R.R.S. (see pp. 71, 92) We have, however, no evidence that the acid thus derived was ever used as a solvent. Hoefer justly remarks that real progress in chemistry was impossible in India and China, as the preparation of mineral acids was unknown in both these countries.² At the same time we should remember that Rasārnava and similar other works lay stress upon vida, in which aqua regia may be said to be potentially present and which is fitly described as capable of "killing all the metals" (see p. 72)