Aspects of Ancient Indian Technology (An Old and Rare Book)

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This monograph gives a critical and coherent account of Ancient Indian Technology about which very little is known. The work is the product of research based on scientific methods. It presents the result of laboratory studies of selected antiquities from various archgeological sites with special reference to excavated material from Rajghat (old Varanasi) excavations made by Banaras Hindu University.

The data, collected from chemical, spectrographic, metallographic and archaeological analysis of the selected antiquities, and interpreted in technological terms, indicate the advanced state of ancient Indian Technology and reveal the stupendous intellectual efforts made by the Early. Indians in exploiting the natural mineral resources and making of a variety of materials-ceramics, glasses and metals, including copper, silver, gold, iron and their alloys.

The study reveals the awareness of ancient Indians to the proper formulation and selection of raw materials as well as to the understanding of colour Chemistry in making silicates and glasses. The work also throws new light on the controversial nature of the slip (coating) on the deluxe N.B.P. ware and on the metallurgical achievements of ancient Indians.

In addition to reporting on the chemical composition of various metals and alloys, the probable sources of the ores, method of ore dressings, technique of smelting and extraction of metals from their ores, nature of the primitive furnaces, the temperature obtained, the role of fluxes, nature of slags, methods of purification of metals, processes of fabrication casting techniques and forging methods have been brought to light.

It is hoped that this study will prove useful to the students of archaeology, metallurgy and historians of science and Technology.

Dr. H.C. BHARDWAJ (born in 1931) is a distinguished scientist in the multidisciplinary field of archaeological sciences. After his post graduation in Chemistry from the University of Allahabad, he joined the laboratories, of the Chief Arachaeological Chemist, Govt. of India. In 1960 he was deputed by Govt. of India for specialized studies and training in the field of conservation and scientific archaeology. He was attached to the laboratories of Dr. H. J. Planderteith, Director, UNESCO centre, Rome. He studied at the premier centers of Archaeological and Museum research in U. K., Germany, France, Belgium, Holland and Italy.

In 1964 he joined Banaras Hindu University as lecturer in Archaeological Chemistry in the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, where he teaches archaeology, History of Science and Technology. He has contributed about 30 research papers on various aspects of archaeology, Ancient Indian Technology and conservation of cultural property.

The present work, his Ph.D. thesis has been acclaimed as an outstanding work of great merit in a challenging new field.

Archaeological studies have revealed to us a rich heritage of India. -as enlarged our vision and given a new perspective to our ancient -...re and civilization. In recent years, the study of archaeology has been enriched by active collaboration from scientists. Current all research tends to draw heavily from advances in the fields of Life and Earth Sciences. The present monograph is indeed a senture in this direction and attempts to study ancient objects with the of modern scientific methodology.

The monograph entitled "Aspects of Ancient Indian Technology" s an approved doctoral thesis of Banaras Hindu University and is being r.c.1i.shed under the scheme of publication of learned research work.

The monograph comprises the work conducted by the author with avowed objective 'to add to our knowledge of Ancient Indian Technology about which very little is known'.

The author took upon himself a challenging task in that he had to Torate in his study advances in such disciplines as Indology, Chemistry, Metallurgy and Glass & Ceramic technology. :as shown resourcefulness in tapping diverse sources of information _ *as made a logical use of the data collected from widely scattered _ The study reveals a surprisingly advanced technological knowledge - -z during the ancient period. It shows proper formulation and of raw materials and a good understanding of colour-chemistry _ silicates and glass in remote antiquity. The study brings to : advances made by ancient Indians in the art and science of metals and alloys. It shows that many modern methods like forging, carburization and use of flux were practiced by ancient bias metal-workers with a fairly high degree of perfection.

I am sure, that the work carried out by the author and incorporated a the present monograph will be of use to all those who are interested in to wady of Ancient Indian Technology. It is hoped that studies like the "intact one will help to accelerate the pace of multidisciplinary studies for amities the complex archaeological problems.