Question

In ancient India, chemistry was called ____________ which roughly means ‘Science of liquids’.
A.Rasayan Shastra
B.Jiva-Shastra
C.Jiva-bhautiki Science
D.Bhautik Shastra

Answer 1

Hint:The word is related to the liquids, Jiva to organisms whereas Bhautika is related to the earthly matter. The combination of jiva and bhautika was to relate biology. Science of liquid can be related to Rasayan Shastra.

Complete step by step answer:
In ancient India, the names originated from the Sanskrit language. From the subject, the relation with the language can be clearly underneath the meaning of the word.
Bhautika refers to earthly matters, this means that the things happening in our surroundings which are realistic, not spiritual.
Jiva refers to organisms, in this study of organisms or plants and living matters of our earth were done.
Rasa refers to liquid; this was related to chemistry element mercury. Mercury is the only element which is liquid at room temperature.
If mercury is mixed with metals like copper and others then it forms alloys like bronze, which is a solid substance.
In ancient India, the currency was found in metals like copper, gold and bronze materials; these materials or coins were mostly used as a mode of business.
 This is how they found mercury to be of high value, and thus named it as Rasayan Shastra.
Thus, the correct option is A.


Note:
In ancient times, the existence of metal blades, statues and utensils from archaeologist sites have indicated the heavy use of metals.
The coins and other shreds of evidence show the intellectual and adaptive nature of our ancient history.
It is also said that abundant metal uses were a result of curiosity to metal transformation.