gems, history of gemology, India, Mughals, Indian lapidary

This paper is a comprehensive review on gem minerals in pre-modern India. Starting with the travellers' accounts during the medieval period and the gem treasury of the Moghuls, this treatise presents itemised discussions on specific gem minerals such as pearl, coral, quartz, agate, corundum, zircon. garnet. beryl, etc. Lastly, there is a special section on Indian diamond mining in the pre-modern era. Some Arabic/Persian terms for gems used in medieval India are tabulated. The causes for the decline of the medieval gem industries are analysed. A great paper.