[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) › c8.2 # History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c8.2 History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c8.2 - **Language:** English ### [c8.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c8.2) The earliest evidence of chemical knowledge possessed by the ancient Indians in the prehistoric age has been brought to light by the findings of archæological excavations in Baluchistan, Sind and the Punjab. These reveal the existence of a pre-Aryan civilization, particularly at Mohenjo-daro in Sind and at Harappa in the Punjab, closely linked with, and akin to, the Sumerian Culture of Mesopotamia and the Nile-Valley civilization of Egypt. According to the opinions of experts and competent authorities the Harappan Culture flourished during 2500—1800 B.C. round about the flood plains of the river Indus and its five tributaries. Hence, it is frequently referred to as the Indus Valley Civilization of the early Bronze Age. The ruins of this ancient civilization that have been unearthed at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa furnish much information about the chemical knowledge acquired by the Indus Valley people, particularly with reference to the practical arts like pottery, brick-making and the extraction and working of metals. Excavations at different localities in Baluchistan and at some parts of Sind provide evidences for still more ancient settlements with their characteristic cultures dating as far back as the fourth millenium B.C. The findings testify to the facts that the people in the remote ages were acquainted with the art of making painted potteries, as well as with the preparation and working of metallic copper. - [Previous: c8.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c8.1) - [Next: c8.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c8.3) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c8) ## Linked texts (2) - [Harappā](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.harappa) - [Mohenjo-daro](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.mohenjo-daro) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c8.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c8.2) · Pramāṇa