It is revealed by a study of the Suvarna-Raupya-Siddhi-sastra of Jinadatta Suri that Alchemy appeared to be the principal forerunner of chemistry in India. It is to be observed that there are two aspects of the history of Chemistry in India, viz. (1) The continuous and growing inter-connection between medicine and chemical preparations which merit special attention, while unfolding the historical antecedants of chemistry and (ii) ancient practical chemistry, albeit its technological overtones, which presents its claims in the history of chemistry as indicated in the Suvarna-Raupya Siddhi-sastra.
The Jaina alchemists, who nurtured chemistry as a practical art and through their varied endeavours, provided the growth-points from time to time along with other Indian alchemists. They introduced new chemicals including mineral acids and more importantly evolved a number of apparatuses, despite the esoteric theories.
The origins of alchemical art are shrouded in the darkness of antiquity. The word 'alchemy' is an Arabic modification of the Greek word 'Chemieia. Towards the end of the fourth century A.D., an Alexandrian Hellenic alchemist named osmimos made use of the word 'Chemieia' for the first time, relating it to the art of transmutation. The Greek word 'Chemicia' or 'Chemi' denots black and it was used to identify Egypt because of the black soil of the Nile Valley and to signify the 'blackening' stage of the so-called transmutation process¹.
It is difficult to determine historically the time and place of alchemical beginnings. It appears that the Chinese alchemy devoted itself to the making of longevity compositions or pills of immortality, as is found in Indian alchemy in general. In China alchemy developed with Taoism and the theory of Yin (female) and Yangly (male principle).
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