Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development c17.4

c17.4

1\. Patanjali, the founder of Hindu metallurgy, (second century B.C.) gave elaborate directions for many metallurgic and chemical processes, especially the preparation of metallic salts, alloys, amalgams, etc., and the extraction, purification, and assaying of metals.⁵⁹ 2. During the fourth century the Hindus could forge a bar of iron, says Fergusson, “larger than any that have been forged in Europe up to a very late date, and not frequently even now.” ⁴⁴