BRASS AND ZINC METALLURGY IN THE ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL WORLD: INDIA'S PRIMACY AND THE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO THE WEST

The primacy of India in the field of ancient brass and zinc metallurgy has been established and re-asserted. The doubts expressed by Ray, Needham and Habib, and their suggestions that primacy belonged to China, have been refuted. The European scenario related to the subject, particularly since the 16th century and till the 18th century technology transfer from India, has been reviewed. There is the scope for further investigation in this broad subject.