The History of Hindu Chemistry’ is not a lost legacy’

The unavailability of the text " HHC " and need for making it 1 available to the students was felt by the Indian Chemical 1 Society (founded by PC Ray) in the year 1948. The council of the society also found the need to incorporate all additional important information that has been brought to light. It was further decided to change the name of the text " HHC " into " History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India ". A publication board led by Prof. Priyadaranjan Ray as chief editor was entrusted with the task of preparing manuscript. Ultimately this edited version of the text " HHC " with a new name " History of Chemistry in Recent article in your esteemed journal on 'The History of [1] Ancient and medieval India " incorporating History of Hindu Hindu Chemistry-A Critical Review' is exceptionally st Chemistry was published on January 1 1956. This was out impressive. It is aptly chosen and elegantly written. The of print for many years before it got reprinted in 2004 by authors took an arduous task and succeeded in filling the Choukhamba Publishers, Varanasi. lacunae of a review from the perspective of Rasa Shastra.The History of Hindu Chemistry (HHC) has been the only publication which gives systematic account of the scientific achievements of the early Indians. The HHC is a The editorial board led by Priyadaranjan Ray took all pains conglomeration of history, science, chemistry, alchemy and to add new materials. All facts have been carefully sifted philosophy of medieval India, diligently presented in a with a view to exclude those of doubtful origin or spurious poetic style. The love and inspiration I have developed character. References have also been made to the social and about the text constrained me to write this letter and cultural conditions of the country, associated with different contribute. The authors of the review expressed their despair stages of development of chemical knowledge. Evidences, about non-availability of this text in the shelves of libraries supported by illustrations wherever possible, of the skill which is disheartening. The authors have also mentioned displayed by the early Indians in the art of making glazed that it was not edited and published after its second edition in pottery, in the extraction and working of metals, in the 1904 which is not according to the facts. But it is true that it preparation of caustic …