Essay name: Alchemy in India and China
Author:
Vijaya Jayant Deshpande
Affiliation: Panjab University / Department of Chemistry
The thesis "Alchemy in India and China" explores the comparative aspects of alchemy in these two countries, focusing on chemical and protochemical formulations while addressing why modern science developed in the West rather than in India or China. It briefly touches upon internal alchemy in China and the ritualistic tantra in India.
Chapter 5 - Transmission of Alchemical and Chemical ideas
36 (of 39)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
127
Asian countries like India and later to Persia and Europe
(in the seventeenth century AD). The Persian silver-
coloured alloy, used for coins, was similar to the above
ones, but contained no nickel. The "China Silver" of
Bogar is then very much like the Persian coin-metal, only
that it contained no cobalt or zinc, but iron instead.
Dan-yang transmutation of copper is much talked
of in ancient Chinese texts, where a silvery alloy was
made from Dan-yang (a place-name in China) copper by
adding refined arsenical powder. Again, Bogar's China
Silver was not by the Dan-yang method since it did contain
some precious metal (about two percent) where the Dan-yang
transmutation does not involve the adding of any silver.
Bogar's method, in short, is as given below:
Tin is melted in a crucible with certain sulphur which is
previously treated with the juice of the plant Vellerukku
(Calitropis Giganta Albiflora). Iron filings and Borax
are added to this tin and then it is melted. Silver equal
to the weight of the combination is added to it. The
molten mass is allowed to cool and is then ground in a
stone mortor. Afterwards mercury, borax and arsenic are
added to it, and powdered thoroughly. The mixture is
moistened with milk and ground to form a paste. The paste
is pressed into pellets and they are dried in the sun.
These pellets are encased in a certain soil and calcined
