Monthly Archives: November 2010

Types of Iron in ancient Indian metallurgy

The iron pillar that stands intact in Delhi is one of the many marvels of  ancient metallurgy. Infact, unlike modern metallurgists, 14 different types of iron were known to metallurgists of the subcontinent. According to Rasa Ratna Samuchchaya (dated to the eighth to twelfth century AD), Iron was classified into three basic categories, which are applicable even today – Continue reading

Advertisement

On the iron pillar of Delhi

Ever wondered how the famous iron pillar of Delhi has withstood rusting and corrosion, in-spite of standing in open air for over 1,600 years? It is 7 meter high, 16 inches in diameter, and weights over 6 tons. The pillar was fashioned at the time of Chandragupta Vikramaditya (375–413). It is a living testament to the high level of skill achieved by ancient Indian blacksmiths. Continue reading

The adult world of adolescence

The days of adolescence is rapidly being replaced by some new traits. Today every girl child wishes to be a diva and every boy desires to be called a dude. A time where girls have moved from adorning their dolls to adorning themselves. A world where the matrix to social acceptance is the number of friends on facebook. Where are those days of innocence gone in present kids!? Continue reading

Ancient Indian mathematics

By the time the world had just started rediscovering mathematics, India had reached the zenith of knowledge. When Indians discovered mathematics, did they know what the world was conspiring? Read my latest article on the-NRI

Why is Karnataka named so?

I was recently wondering how Karnataka got its name! Many of us might not know that Karnataka in the medieval ages was called Mysore state, and was renamed to Karnataka only in 1973. There has to be some reason behind every state’s name. For example, Bihar is named so because it is derived from ‘Vihara’, meaning dwelling place of Buddhist monks. Continue reading