Ancient Indian Metallurgy

by Ashoka K. Mishra

Metallurgy is an interdisciplinary subject consisting of geology, mining physics, chemistry and other applied offshoots of science. Currently its technological advancement is theory based application while contrary to it in ancient times it was empirical one (based on experiments and observations). This empirical based metallurgical advancement of ancient India was in no way inferior to the theory based advancement modern times.

The core of this book is to explain limpidly the theoretical scientific principles hidden in hydrometallurgical advancement of the yore in India. The vital role of genecology and mineral resources of the country in the furtherance of metallurgical innovation is also one of the prime aspects of this monograph.

Table of Contents:

• Preface
• Introduction
• Concepts of minerals and ores
• Copper metallurgy
• Ferrous metallurgy
• Non-ferrous metallurgy
• Bibliography.

About the Author:

Ashoka K. Mishra is a Professor of Archaeology in the Department of History, Culture & Archaeology at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad. He authores the books viz., The Indian Black Wares (Delhi, 1989); Swatabtrayotar Bhartiya Puratattava Ke Pachas Varsh 1947-1997 (Faizabad, 1998); Ethno Archaeometallurgy of Iron in India (Delhi, 2003) and Dynamics of Environmental Changes in Prehistoric India (Delhi, 2006). He was awarded Kund-Kund Gyan Pith Puraskar in 1998 for his outstanding work in the field of Atomic hypothesis in Jainism. Form 1996 to 1999 he was associate at Indian Institute of Advance Study, Shimla (an autonomous body being run by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India).