3 Review(s)

A Sequel to his widely acclaimed Minerals and Metals in Ancient India, in two volumes, (1996), Professor Biswas here continues with the fascinating story of indigenous gems, non-gem minerals, metals and metallic art : from 1200 ad onwards to almost the threshold of modern times. Like its predecessor, this volume too is sponsored by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi. Beginning with a view of medieval India\'s enchanting gems, its highly dexterous diamond mining, and an array of non-gem minerals including, among others, metallic ores of copper, lead, zinc, ferrocobaltite, aluminium, and even building stones, the book offers a focussed study of iron and steel, brass and zinc in pre-modern India -- with coherent descriptions of the diversities of ores processed, smelting techniques, wootz-making and other products in different parts of the subcontinent. A painstakingly researched work based on foreigners\' travelouges and many other sources, the book re-explores the achievements of indigenous industries of the day, highlighting how, for about two millennia since the Lothal and Atranjikhera eras, India commanded primacy in zinc and brass; how its zinc smelting and distillation technology were transferred to the West, like the Chinese technologies of paper and gunpowder; and how its artisans could work marvels in metal. The author examines, in retrospect, Indian traditions of metallic works, which are vividly exemplified in its arts of enamelling, encrustation, jewel-setting, brass and high zinc Bidriware, and much else. Concludingly, Professor Biswas also goes into the causes that spelt decline of the Indian industries and the superb vitality of its artisans\' tradition. Book Contents Preface Abstracts of the Reviews on "Minerals and Metals in Ancient India" Vols. I & II by Prof. Arun Kumar Biswas and Dr. (Mrs.) Sulekha Biswas Acknowledgements 1. Introduction 2. Gem Minerals in Pre-Modern India Traveller\'s Accounts of Indian Gems The Gem Treasury of the Moghuls Discussions on Specific Gem Minerals Diamond Ancient Diamond Works in the Godavari-Krishna-Penner Valleys -- The Ancient Diamon Mines of Bengal-Bihar-Orissa -- Sambalpur District Diamonds Diamond in Central India The Decline in the Diamond Trade Concluding Remarks 3. Non Gem Minerals in Pre-Modern India Salt in India Salt Reserves in Punjab Alkaline Salt, Reh in India Saltpetre in India Mining and Smelting of Metallic Ores in Pre-Modern India Copper Ore Mining Mining and Metallurgy in Khetri Copper Belt Sehta or Ferro-Cobaltite in Khetri Copper Mines Sulphates of Copper, Aluminium and Iron Zinc in Medieval India Lead in Medieval India Gold in Pre-Modern India Gold from Alluvial Washings Building Stones Iron Ores in Indian Antiquity Concluding Remarks 4. Iron and Steel in Pre-Modern India -- A Critical Review Introduction Iron and Steel in Medieval India The Eighteenth-Nineteenth Century Scenario: Diversities Pre-Modern Iron Technology in Southern India Iron in the Pre-Modern Central India Pre-Modern Iron in Eastern India Iron in Pre-Modern Gujarat Area Replication Experiments and Theoretical Studies on Pre-Modern Technologies The Charcoal Crisis and the Atrophy of the Indigenous Industries Iron-Carbon Alloys in India Wootz, a Crucible Steel of India South Indian Processes The Hyderabad or Deccani Process Recent Investigations by Lowe Carburised Iron to Malleable Steel Different Types of Enterprises Tribal Household Industry -- Market-Oriented Craft Groups -- Protocapitalist Enterprises Stangnation to Extinction: Reasons 5. Brass and Zinc in Pre-Modern India Brass before the Discovery of Zinc Zinc Metal and High-Zinc Brass Mining Archaeology and Smelting Related to Indian Zinc Ore Brass and Zinc in Ancient India Literary Evidences on Zinc and Brass in Acient India The Earliest Literary reference to Zinc Metal -- Nagarjuna\'s Date Pre-Muslim Era Tradition at Zawar Discovery of the Medieval Zinc Smelting Outfit Ancient Retorts and Furnances at Zawar An Outline of the Medieval Process Phase Studies on Zawar Slags at IIT, Kanpur Scenario -- Fourteenth Century Onwards Technology Transfer to the West 6. Bidri and Other Art Works in Pre-Modern India Replication Experiments and Chemical Hypothesis History of the Art Tradition Without Steam or Machinery Tin-Coating of Metallic Utensils Gold and Silver Wares Purification and Recovery of Precious Metals Minakari or the Art of Enamelling Encrusted and Damascened Wares Concluding Remarks 7. Concluding Remarks Why did the Indigenous Industries Collapse? Plates Bibliography Index