While there is no specific mention of magnetic needles and magnetic phenomenon in the early texts, Sankara Misra, in his Upaskara, does observe the attraction of an iron needle towards a magnet. He also discusses the creation of magnets by rubbing the potential magnets and placing them along the magnetic poles.

Bhoja in his Yuktikalpataru (circa AD 1100) warned shipbuilders about using iron along the bottom of the vessels for this would render them vulnerable to magnetic rocks at sea.

 

SOURCES :

The Cultural Heritage of India
Editors - Priyadaranjan Ray & S.N. Sen
Publishers - The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture

History of Science & Technology in India
Editors - G. Kuppuram & K. Kumudamami
Publishers - Sundeep Prakashan

Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
Publishers - McGraw-Hill.

Masters of the Millennium - 100 Indians who shaped the century
Publishers - The Sunday Observer (special edition).

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