Illustrations: 4 Maps and 47 B/w Illustrations Description: This is one of the few well documented, well-researched and well-presented book on the history of mining and metallurgy in ancient India based on archaeological, literary and ethnological evidences and on first hand knowledge of various mining sites. Apart from the introduction and conclusion, this work of about 300 pages consists chapters on mineral ores in ancient India, gold, silver, copper and bronze, iron and zinc. This book also contains 4 maps and 47 illustrations.

Illustrations: Numerous B/w Illustrations Description: This book offers a comprehensive discussion on the distribution of ores of copper and its alloys in the Indian subcontinent and critically reviews the related archaeological and metallurgical data, underscoring the tremendous richness and complexity of this tradition in early India. Summary: This volume undertakes a detailed study of the rich and continuing preindustrial tradition of Indian copper and copper-alloy metallurgy and unequivocally brings out its significance in understanding the ancient context.

The author a devoted and well- knownThe author a dMetallurgy is an interdisciplinary subject consisting of Geology, Mining, Physics, Chemistry and other applied Off shoots ofscience. The vital role of Geoecology and mineral resources of India in furtherance of metallurgical innovation is also one of the prime aspects of this monograph. This excellent book will be useful to scholars andm students of metallurgy.

Most studies of ancient technology have hitherto been based on the civilisations of the Mediterranean and Middle East, especially those of Egypt, Greece and Rome. In this volume the extraordinarily well preserved remains at three major mining and metal production sites in the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan (Agucha, Dariba and Zawar) were revealed. At these sites, by survey and archaeological excavation, the authors, studied the long-term development of mining and smelting activity over 3000 years. At Dariba and Agucha silver was mined by the Mauryan Empire on a colossal scale over 2,000 years ago. At Zawar the Mauryan mines seem to have produced mainly zinc oxide, but in the Medieval period zinc metal was produced by advanced processes of high temperature distillation, almost certainly the earliest commercial zinc production in the world. Here the laboratory processes described in the early Indian scientific works were developed into major industrial processes, the birth of chemical industry at least 500 years before similar developments began in Europe. The authors also analyse the decline and rebirth of extractive metallurgy in India.

Study of the Chalcolithic sites in India.

Metals and their knowledge have have been important in historic as well as pre-historic ages. Many of the pre-historic artefacts are still a wonder to the modern man. When we visit places like Ajanta, Ellora caves, Konark Temple at Bhubaneshwar, Taj Mahal at Agra, Qutb Minar and Ashoka Pillar at Delhi, we look with awe the craftsmanship of the sculptors and metal workers. A strong culture of technology is necessary for creation of such masterpieces.The monuments made of stones needed a few basic metal implements: chisels and hammers. How did these originate? Before the making of basic metal tools, stone based tools were only available which were heavy and got blunted easily and could not be used for agriculture. Metal tools are harder, last longer and are re-workable. Thus it is said that with the proliferation of metal usage, agriculture and stock-raising expanded many times. Also the villages prospered and towns came into being.Copper was the first metal man had contact with. The first copper used was native copper. Copper metallurgy in India dates back to the start of the Chalcolithic culture in the sub-continent. The Harappans extensively used Copper and Bronze to make knives, daggers, arrowheads, axes, chisel, bangles, bracelets and beads.The source of metal is the next point to think of. Was the metal obtained in a native state or extracted from ore? Also the usage of flux then to remove gangue as slag needs pondering. The shape and capacity of the furnace used is also important. Whether the metal was used as it is or alloyed with some other metal, is another query? The process of solidification by casting or the object formation by forge-welding/forging is another question. Such questions need to be answered to know about the scientific basis and technical skills of the Copper smelters and smiths in ancient times.But there are no direct answers. Answers are hidden under artefacts, furnaces, slags and other archaeological evidences. World over we find a well-marked sequence of usage of metals: copper-arsenical, copper-tin, bronze, iron, occurs which may suggest a diffusion process. However, we do not get the full sequence and in some parts we go from Neolithic technology to an Early Iron Age civilization. For a long time, the theory of the diffusion of ideas and techniques has been generally. But now, the long held general diffusional thesis for spread of metallurgy has come under cloud. The second metal iron was used in India after Copper and Bronze, as in other parts of the world and in India it was made indigenously. One may recall mastery in metal casting from the Indus times with the shining example of the dancing girl, cast in Bronze by cire purdue process. Subsequently, heavy tools and implements have been found in the copper hoards in the gangetic plains during 2000-1500 BCE. The modern day Zinc was already being produced in India in 12th to 13th centuries in the Zawar region of Rajasthan. The Ashoka Pillar at Mehraulli created in the 4th-5th century CE is a wonder having withstood 1600 monsoons which testifies its extraordinary qualitative feature. Wootz known worldwide as the famous Damascus steel was another product from master craftsmen of India many centuries years ago. The medieval period saw the emphasis on producing war implements and the Shahi Karkhanas came up and master craftsmen from West Asia came to make large iron cannons which started replacing bronze cannons.The remarkable skills of the Indian Metallurgists did get lost to the world during British rule possibly due to the 1857 mutiny after which making of firearms including the famous swords was halted. Mines were closed and even the miners were extinct. The arrival of the British saw the synergy of indigenous Indian metallurgy and western technology. Later came up the Indian Iron and Steel company and Tata Iron and Steel companies.This book is an introduction to the history of metallurgy in India since Ancient times.