History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c26.14

c26.14

Another treatise of this period which deserves mention here is Dhaturatnamala. This epitome is devoted exclusively to short processes of killing metals and minerals. Six metals are recognized 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. The author is one Devadatta of Gujrata. This work cannot be placed earlier than the 14th century.