A Critical review on Ancient Alchemical Metal Treatment Procedures in Rasagrandhas and Brhadvimanika Shastra

Abstract

In the history of science, alchemy refers to both an early form of the investigation of nature and an early philosophical and spiritual discipline, both combining elements of chemistry, metallurgy, physics, medicine, astrology, semiotics, mysticism and art.18th century British records mention India having 20,000 operating furnaces indicating geographical stretch of their knowledge which has of its roots in Vedas, Tantra and in Rasagrandhas. Rasagrandhas emphasize on various medicaments prepared by materials obtained signature of nature viz; plants, minerals and metals. The process is extensively complex as the aforesaid materials are to be converted into acceptable form of internal administration. These very old texts have also some veiled metallurgical processing methods, ideas of which can be encountered even in Vimanika shastra of Bharadwaja, Samaranganasutradhara of king Bhoja. Tankanam(Borax) which is very much usually used in metal matrix composites is been emphasized in alloying in these texts is a notable example of their exemplary forethought. One cannot deny the fact that adamantine glue of Varahamihira, Electric battery of Agasthya and over 40 mystical metals mentioned in Vimanika shastra have a common significant element which is Rasatantra. The present review investigates and explores these diverse metal treatment procedures in these texts that can trigger some insights in processing of aeromechanical materials.