[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956) › c15.76 # History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c15.76 History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c15.76 - **Language:** English ### [c15.76](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c15.76) From a survey of the informations contained in the Arthashastra, so far as it concerns us, we find that there was a considerable advancement in the knowledge of metals and their working Methods for the large scale production of metals like gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead and mercury and of alloys like brass, bronze, and those of gold and silver with baser metals were known. Large varieties of minerals, ores, gems and precious stones have been described in detail in his treatise by Kautilya. Knowledge of the fermentation process reached also a fairly advanced character. The description of silver, tin and mercury ores, which are till now not known to occur in India, seems to suggest their importation from neighbouring countries. Sulphide of mercury (hingul) was possibly obtained from China, tin-stone from Malaya and Persia, and silver ores from Afghanistan and Persia. It should be noted that Kautilya has prescribed severe penalties for goldsmiths who would fraudulently adulterate gold articles or gold coins with baser metals, or try to pass baser metals as gold by folding or amalgamating them with gold-leaves. This indicates that alchemy received little favour or credence in Kautilya's time. - [Previous: c15.75](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c15.75) - [Next: c15.77](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c15.77) - [Up: c15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c15) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c15.76](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c15.76) · Pramāṇa