A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.t1.86

v2.c32.t1.86

Dháturatnamálá: This epitome is devoted exclusively to short processes of killing metals and minerals. Six metals are recognised at the outset, namely, gold, silver, copper, lead, tin and iron as in the ancient works; but strange to say later on kharpara,* which is the mineral calamine, is taken as synonymous with jasada or zinc. We have before us a MS. procured from Benares. It is full of corrupt readings. The copy noticed in the Bodleian Library Catalogue seems to be more correct. From the colophon in the latter we learn that the author is one Devadatta of Gujaráta, but in the Benares exemplar this portion has been coolly tampered with, so that this poor compilation may be palmed off as an integral part of a Samhitá of the Asviníkumáras, the divine physicians, and thus entitled to the respect due to revelation. This work cannot be placed earlier than in the 14th century. Here we have a serious side-light into the history of literary forgeries.