Ancient Chemistry

Question 1

Swedani Yantra

Answer 1

Swedani Yantra was used for continuous slow heating of ingredients.

Procedure: A pot with boiling water has its mouth covered with a piece of cloth and the substance to be steamed is placed on it, and a second pot is arranged in an inverted position over the rim of the first.

Question 2

Patana Yantra

Answer 2

Patana Yantra was an apparatus used for sublimation and distillation.

Procedure:
Two vessels are adjusted so that the neck of the one fits into that of the other.
The junction of the necks is luted with a composition made of lime, raw sugar, rust of iron, and buffalo’s milk.

Question 3

The Adhahpatan Yantra

Answer 3

The Adhahpatan Yantra was a modification of the Patana yantram, an apparatus used for sublimation and distillation.

Procedure:
The bottom of the upper vessel is smeared with the substance, the vapour or essence thereof condensing into the water of the lower one. Heat is applied on the top of the upper vessel by means of the fire of dried cow-dung cakes.

Question 4

Kosthi Yantra

Answer 4

Kosthi Yantra, was mainly used for extracting minerals.

Procedure:

This apparatus has a special furnace of angulas in width and one hasta (18”) in length and one hasta in height. Two Mushas (crucibles used in the laboratory) are taken, one of which has a lid with a hole.

The Musha with the lid is filled with ore and is fixed upside down on the furnace, surrounding the upper Musha is filled with hard charcoal made of Bamboo, Khadira, Madhuka and Badari wood.

A fire is lit in the charcoal and has to keep raging, by blowing air with the help of bellows. Gradually the essence of the mineral gets collected in the lower pot.

Question 5

Dola Yantra

Answer 5

Dola Yantra was mainly used for causing the chemical to perspire by exposing them to medicated steam.

Procedure:
In this yantram, a vessel filled with some liquid substance to half of its capacity is taken. Two holes are made opposite to each other near the mouth of the vessel.

A rod is then arranged through the two holes across the mouth. A bundle containing the material which is boiled is suspended into the liquid by tying it at the middle of the rod. Then the vessel is heated as required.

Question 6

Dhup Yantra

Answer 6

The apparatus is similar to fumigating apparatus.

Question 7

Taptkhal or Tapta Khalla Yantra

Answer 7

Taptkhal or Tapta Khalla Yantra was used for slow heating of Mercury.

Question 8

Tiryakpatan Yantra

Answer 8

Tiryakpatan Yantra was used for purification of mercury.

Procedure:
Mercury is kept in a long vessel, with a bent tube at its neck. The lower end of the tube should be inserted into the body of another vessel containing water.

The mouth of these two vessels and joints are closed with clay and cloth etc. A blazing fire is placed under the first vessel.

The mercury falls into the water in the second vessel. Cold water is poured constantly on the second vessel to get sublimated mercury.

Question 9

Palika Yantra

Answer 9

Palika Yantra is a round shaped vessel with a bend vertical or horizontal arm to handle it. The apparatus is generally used in drawing out oil and small quantity of medicinal liquid.

Question 10

Urdhavpatan Yantra

Answer 10

sublimation of mercury. The substance is heated in lower pot and the upper one is kept cooled for deposition of sublimate.

Question 11

Kachchap Yantra

Answer 11

This is an iron vessel placed in a cavity and subsequently filled with water. Another vessel is placed into this water with a small crucible containing mercurial products that are processed through Kacchapa Yantra

Question 12

Ishtika Yantra

Answer 12

It was used for addition of sulfur in different proportions in the mercury.

Question 13

Nagarjuna is known for?

Answer 13

Metallurgy and Alchemy

Also invented gold plating or immitation jwellary

Question 14

Nagarjuna Books

Answer 14

1. Rasa-ratna-kara (detailed: extraction method of Gold, Silver, Tin and Copper; Preparation of liquids - Mercury).
2. Kachpu-tantra
3. Arogya Majary.

Question 15

Baaghbatt Book

Answer 15

Rasa-ratna Samuchay:
10 Chemicals mentioned:
Maharas, Upras, Samanya Ras, Ratna, Dhatu, Vish, Kshar, Aml, Lavan, Lohbhasm.

This book also contains the laboratoy and its 32 types of instruments for research.

Question 16

Kanada (Aulokya-real name)

Answer 16

Vishisheka School of Philosophy.

had interests in Minor particles (Kana) hence got the name Kanad.

Gave the atomic theory.

Question 17

Varahmihira

Answer 17

Brihat Samhita : process to make strong and rust free iron.