Chapter 238: Glass production Part -1
In India, during the 16th century, glasses were expensive but commonly popular among upper castes, rich merchants, and noble families. Being a nature-friendly item that could replace metals and provide both a lustrous attribute to the item, it was a must-have necessity.
But unlike Europeans, who had discovered the variation of glassmaking for optical glass, it was not yet prevalent in India by that time. Thanks to these items, the European Renaissance boomed, where they made major contributions in the fields of astronomy, navigation, and information exchange. Meanwhile, Indians were limited to the domestic application of food bowls or jewelry for common and daily uses.
Having memories of his past life, Aditya wanted to start his own optical glass manufacturing in India ahead of its time. However, he only had theoretical knowledge. He hadn’t studied European glassmaking designs and, as such, couldn’t reinvent anything new for it. That’s why he felt the need to rely upon existing glass technology and find more clues. Thus, he ordered the purchase of a good glass manufacturing plant. However, he got a shock when he heard that the furnace had exploded, as it was the core apparatus in manufacturing.
"What? The furnace exploded? What is the plant’s condition now? What about the labourers?" he asked frantically.
Ashutosh cleared his throat and explained, "It’s nothing major, Your Highness. Out of 12, only one exploded, and the damage to the building is not that substantial. However, four workers working nearby got seriously wounded. They are being sent to the local infirmary after urgent emergency treatment."
Everyone sighed, as the damage was not to a great extent. However, the unfortunate news of injuries to the workers was disheartening because they were skilled artisans, and losing them was a big setback to the manufacturing process. To not take any chances, Aditya and his group rushed to the glass production plant along with Ashutosh.
Budhpur village, glass manufacturing plant, afternoon
In the outskirts of the village, a fortified area enclosed by iron bars served as a boundary, housing six modest-sized buildings that operated as a glass production factory. Outside, a column of bullock carts stood waiting, loaded with raw materials being carefully unloaded by workers.
Mounds of sand and clay lay outside the facility, while inside, twelve additional structures built of brick formed the heart of operations. Dome-shaped furnaces were positioned in open spaces to facilitate the production process. The workers moved in a synchronized manner, fulfilling their assigned roles with precision—transporting raw materials, managing tools, and securing the finished products.
However, their routine was interrupted by a commotion at the entrance. Prince Aditya and his entourage had arrived, drawing the attention of everyone present.
At the gate, a slender man with a dark complexion stepped forward to greet the prince. "Welcome, Your Highness. We have been awaiting your arrival."
As the man approached, Bheem, Aditya’s royal guard, instinctively stepped forward, his piercing glare warning the stranger to maintain a respectful distance. Aditya, however, waved Bheem off, signaling him to stand down.