corundum, history.1, India.12, gems, Arabic mineralogy, Indian lapidary, early lapidaries

Varāhamihira’s Bṛhat Saṁhitā is a seminal Sanskrit encyclopedic text composed in the 6th century CE, reflecting the confluence of science, astrology, geography, meteorology, architecture, and social customs in early classical India. Written by the polymath Varāhamihira, the work comprises over a hundred chapters that explore a wide range of subjects, from celestial omens and planetary motions to water divination, gemology, and rituals. As both a scientific treatise and a cultural document, the Bṛhat Saṁhitā offers valuable insights into the intellectual landscape of Gupta-period India. This abstract surveys the structure, content, and historical significance of the text, highlighting its role in the transmission of knowledge across disciplines and its enduring influence on Indian astronomical and astrological traditions.