The Early History of Gold in India

From the Jacket

Despite the magnitude of the discovery, there has never been a full scale study of the gold artifacts uncovered from a number of sites in India. An attempt has been made to reveal the importance of these archaeological discoveries through proper investigation and research. Besides a general discussion on the types of gold objects found, observations have been made on the techniques of gold ornaments in prehistoric of the Indo-Greek, Kushan, Roman, and Gupta gold coins indicate the extensive use of the metal in the early historic period.

The literary data suggest an abundance, and a wide diversity of gold and gold objects, which is not even remotely matched by the archaeological data. The present work analyses the relevant literary data and emphasizes virtually all important aspects of the Indian and foreign literary allusions to Indian  gold.

The geology of gold has been exhaustively presented.  A detailed consideration of the geological data throws interesting light on the number of areas and ways in which the metal  concerned could be obtained.

Thus, the present work is an attempt at integration of data of all kinds on the early history of gold in India. The author has tried to bring out a basic historic pattern by a systematic and critical evaluation of the available geological, archaeological and literary data. 

About the Author

Dr. Rajni Nanda had her education at the Delhi University, where she now teaches history at the School of Correspondence Course and Continuing Education. She has also done post-doctoral research in the Sofia University, Bulgaria.

Contents:

Preface and Acknowledgement

Bibliography

Index

I.      Mohenjo-daro
II.     Mohenjo-daro
III.    Mohenjo-daro
IV.    Mohenjo-daro and Lothal
V.     Harappa
VI.    Adichanallur, Megalithic Site
VII.   Taxila
VIII.  Taxila
IX.    Taxila
X.     Taxila
XI.    Taxila
XII.   Taxila
XIII.  Taxila
XIV.  Taxila
XV.   Nagarjunakonda

1. Major Mining Areas of Gold in India
2. Location of the Major Archaeological Sties
3. Location of the Major Coin-Hoards and treasure-troves