Chemistry in Ancient India Dr. (Mrs.) E.R. Rama Bai  Professor & Head of the Dept. of Sanskrit University of Madras, Chennai.

Chemistry in Ancient India is known by the name Rasakriya and Rasatantravidya and the person well-versed in this science is known as Rasajna.  In this science i.e., Chemistry, especially the theory of inorganic and organic compounds was founded by the prevailing schools of medicine and surgery, as early as the 5th century A.D. These schools had admitted the iso-Bhautic and Hetero-Bhautic combinations. Charaka held that each of the gross-elements (Mahabhutas) is a peculiar ultra-chemical compound of five original subtitle bhutas (Tanmatra). This compound of each element is called penta-Bhautic. All substances in their chemical constitution belong to one or other of the following classes-mono-bhautic, bi, tri, tetra and pentabhautic. According to Susruta, each of the gross bhutas (i.e. Mahabhutas) is found mixed up with the other Bhutas e.g. the Mahabhuatas-Akasa is the receptacle of Vayu (air), Tejas (heat and light), Ap (Water vapour); the Mahabhüta Väyu is water, light and heat and even fine particles of Prthvi, etc. (Susruta, Sarirasthana, Ch.1) - C on that by Dalvana. 
The above explanation of the Mahabhutas of Prthvi, Ap, Tejo, Vayu and Akasa from the Sükshmabhutas corresponds to the theory of Pancikarana of the Vedantins. In this theory, Brahman, through Maya, products in the beginning Akasa with the characteristic features of one, infinite, all pervasive etc; from Akasa evolved Vayu; from Vayu, Tejas; from Tejas, Ap; from Ap Prthvi. There are five kinds of gross matters corresponding to the five kinds of Sukshambhutas and they process by which the Mahabhutas are formed from the Sukshmabhutas is known as Pancikarana (quintuplication). For example the Mahäbhüta earth (ME) is formed of 4 parts of Sukshma earth and one part of each of the other sukshma elements.  Charaka and Susruta enumerate the earth substances, as gold, five lohas (metals) and their 'rust', arsenic, various mineral earths; various salts etc. Susruta mentions the alkalis, borax, natron etc. Among the earth substances some are known to be compounds i.e. chemical salts of the metals etc.

Susruta explains the preparation of metallic salts also. This paper intends to present characteristic features of the five elements and the views of diffetent schools of Philosophy regarding the five sukshma and gross elements; the combinations, arrangement of the atoms etc (2). The chemical compounds known to the medical science and the preparation of the sense of chemical compounds by different processes; (3) how the chemical compounds are used to break the rocks or soften the rocks; (4) and chemical cements known as Vajralepa to be employed in temple construction and idol installation.