History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c15.s2.11

c15.s2.11

There are ample evidences of copper being smelted on an extensive scale in ancient India. In the Singbhum and Hazaribagh districts of Chotanagpur it is believed, on geological evidences, that copper was mined and extracted some two thousand years ago. According to some geologists, the mining and smelting of copper ores were initiated in this region by the Seraks or lay Jains. Deposits of copper-slags were abundantly found on the hills all around these places. In various places of Rajputana many extinct copper mines are found from which copper was obtained in ancient times. Some of these mines are worked even now on small scales following the old indigenous methods. Nepal was an important source of copper in ancient India. On account of its purity Nepal copper was highly valued in old days. The old method of manufacturing copper is still prevalent in Nepal and Sikkim. Copper mines were also worked and copper smelting carried out in the Central Provinces, the Kumaun district, the district of Gharwal and in some places of Madras Presidency.