History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c26.18

c26.18

A remarkable production of this period is, however, the treatise entitled Dhatukriya or “operations with metals.” It is in the shape of a dialogue between Siva and Parbati; in short, it pretends to be a part and parcel of the Rudrayamala Tantra. The work cannot be placed earlier than in the 16th century A.D., as it contains reference to the countries of the *Phirangas* and to Ruma, the Arabic name for Constantinople (Istambul). For the first time we come across the very appropriate term *dahajala* (lit. burning water), coined to denote sulphuric acid. The information about the metals is of very meagre and poor description, and it has been needlessly spun into an inordinate length.