Book Review.Pmd

Book Review history of science. For all these one has to be a scientist whose interest goes beyond narrow boundaries of professional disciplines. Professor Arun Kumar Biswas has been able to write this beautiful book by virtue of his unique background. Over several decades now, the author has systematically specialized in several areas: applied chemistry, mineral engg., metallurgy, history of science and civilization as well as Ramkrishna and Vivekananda literature. He has degrees from Kolkata University and MIT, USA. He was a Professor at IIT Kanpur for many years (1963 – 95) and after retirement held prestigious positions in Asiatic Society, Kolkata, Institute of Advanced Studies, Simla and Jadavpur University to write extensively on history of science with special emphasis on ancient and medieval India. His well acclaimed books and articles testify evidences from ancient texts, archeological evidences and information on available archeomaterials to establish ancient and medieval India’s achievements. In the book under review he examines a wider canvas based on his knowledge in two areas, namely, history of science in Europe and India and mineral sciences. The book critically reviews the birth and progress of Mineral Processing to Elemental Science in the mineral processing to modern chemistry during the three th th Medieval World: India and Europe, By : Arun momentous centuries ( 16 – 18 ) in medieval Europe. As a prelude it also briefly talks about minerals, metals Kumar Biswas, ISBN: 978-81-720615-2-8, and chemistry in ancient and medieval India. This book Published by Professor Mihir Kumar of eleven chapter contains amazing collections of Chakravarti, General Secretary, The Asiatic interesting information and thought provoking Society, 1, Park Street, Kolkata – 700 016, 427 observations. In addition the book presents at the end Pages, Price Rs.580.00 numerous beautiful illustrations that the author has collected from various sources. The history of science, as Bernal had observed, is mostly taught and understood as a narration of various Chapter 1 of the monograph discusses, amongst other discoveries in sequence of time whereas it should really things why Agricola’s (1495-1555) monumental work De be studied and understood as history of relationship Re Metallica, published after his death, should be taken between science and society. This scholarly book does as the definitive starting point in the annals of not only this. It avoids chronological narration, it discusses, with the subject of mineral processing but also scientific references to mineral sciences and applied chemistry, how renaissance that initiated a dramatic review of Alchemy. and why particular issues need to be examined and how The author raises the important question as to why the findings were used to shape society and vice-versa. science of chemistry had a slow start when great advances Philosophy of science cannot be discussed by people where made by Galileo, Kepler, Newton, Boyle and so many who know only philosophy, magicians cannot talk about others in the fields of astronomy, mathematics and magic of science and ordinary historians would not know physics. He discusses possible answers to this question VOL. 78, NOS. 5–6 267 in later chapters. He points out that no one has any idea AD) that enriched European science. Third, the European about any particular element other than the eight ancient Church gradually became a breeding ground of metals (gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, zinc, iron and mercury) revolutionary ideas that led to eventual intellectual until Lavoisier discovered oxygen towards the end of the emancipation. For example, from around 1534 AD monks 17th Century. started studying natural phenomena. Finally, revolt against corruption in church that led to Protestantism catalysed For catalyzing the development of chemistry he general growth of science. Since then protestant countries credits Agricola, a mineral engineer turned to historian of have done better in science compared to catholic countries. science for playing a pioneering role. He also mentions in The author opines that with basic non-confirmation this chapter that the classical Indian text Rasa – Ratna – protestants encouraged the spirit of modern science, Samuccya (RRS) had proceeded Agricola’s work by three capitalism, democracy and social justice. centuries. He raises the question as to why although till 1200 AD the West and the East were more or less in par Chapter 5 gives a detailed discussion of the celebrated in science and technology subsequently Europe went work of Agricola who was far more than a mineral engineer ahead. He discusses this matter in greater details in as mentioned earlier. His 16th century text became widely subsequent chapters. known only after an English translation was made available by Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou Henry both mining Chapter 2 is about India’s primacy in the fields of engineering graduates of the Stanford Univ. USA. Herbert mineralogy, metallurgy and chemistry in ancient times and Hoover later became the President of the United States. some developments in the medieval era. There is Agricola wrote against alchemists, urging people to venture chronological information from pre-Harappan times (prior into mining. He wrote about scientific progress in other to 3200 BC) to medieval time. The author quotes from countries including excellent glass made in India. numerous texts to establish how detailed observations were recorded and analysed. There are quotations from the Chapter 6 reviews some other important texts, Vedas, Upanishads and other sources to show India’s particularly writings of Biriguceio who also wrote against achievements in various fields, specially iron and zinc, the alchemy calling it as ‘vain wish and childish folly’. He latter being produced in increasing quantities starting from was in the forefront of advocating open debates. as early as 600 AD. The rest of the world did not have The 17th Century quest of an elemental science is th the knowhow until as late as the 17 century. Brass and discussed in Chapter 7. It is mentioned that there were Zinc Metallurgy of India peaked around 1200 AD that some positive aspects also in alchemy which helped in marks the beginning of the medieval era. The industry the growth of chemistry through sustained efforts of which produced thousands of tons of alloys, however, alchemists in chemical conversion of matter from one form sharply declined due to Islamic invasions and internal to another. A practice of accurate weighing demonstrated defects in the Hindu Society. indestructibility of matter. Observations were recorded The author focuses on the art of mineral processing about evolution of gas also. th in 13 century AD India in the third chapter quoting literary The author discusses how struggles against the evidences and presenting archeological findings. He then catholic church helped in free flowering of scientific discusses the reasons for decline in Indian science and renaissance through writings of Bacon, the heliocentric technology. Two slokes he presents merits special theory of Copernicus, Kepler, Bruno, Galileo etc. Also mention. One says that scientific knowledge remains discussed in this chapter is the great advances made by powerful when made public. The other sloka says that Lavoisier, who demolished the Phlogiston theory, and Boyle medicine becomes ineffective when the identity is revealed who showed through an experiment that the life of an to the patient. animal depended on some part of air just as the life of a Chapter 4 discusses scientific progress in Europe candle flame. th prior to the 16 century text of Agricola. It goes back to It is amazing how the author has not only gone Greek and Roman authors including Aristotle (384 -322 BC) through, grasped and analysed an extensive collection of and the Roman author Pliny (23 – 79 AD) and makes the literature but has also lucidly organised the information following observations. First, the Europeans became gathered in this monograph. skilled in many technological devices (e. g. the water wheel). Second, there were fruitful exchanges between Chapter 8 discusses the advent of the elemental th Arabs and Europeans during the crusades (1096 – 1201 science in the 18 Century Europe and examines how and 268 SCIENCE AND CULTURE, MAY-JUNE, 2012 why the emergence of modern chemistry came so late in matters worse. Biswas also briefly discusses the the story of progress of science. The author talks of air interesting question as to what would have happened to e.g. ‘fire air’ (oxygen), ‘inflammable air’ (hydrogen) and Indian Science had the British not come to India. ‘foul air’ (nitrogen) and then abandonment of the The last chapter presents a short summary of phlogiston theory because of experiments that showed that conclusions given in the earlier chapters. He concludes oxidation caused weight gain and not loss. A scientist of the book by writing, “Science can perpetually serve the rare stature, Prieslly, however, remained dogmatic in support society if it works in tandem with the other positive of the phlogiston theory till death. Supporters claimed approaches and values such as spirituality, secularism and that a flame indicated that the phlogiston released had socialism. Science is, after all, only a part of human negative weight and that was why a flame floated upwards! civilization”. Lavoisier wrote before he was beheaded during the French Revolution. The reviewer believes that this book is a ‘must read’ for all those who are interested in the history of science “It is then true that the exercise of all social virtue, in India. Unfortunately such readership is limited in India important services rendered to my country, a career usefully because traditionally history is neglected in the country. employed for the progress of arts and human knowledge India had, by the middle ages, nearly forgotten even its do not suffice to preserve a man from a disaster and top greatest emperor, Ashoka. It was only from the 17th preserve a man from a disaster and to prevent him for Century that archeologists became curious about a king perishing like a guilty person”.

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