History of Perfumes

HISTORY OF PERFUMES
• History of perfume The history of perfume began in antiquity.

The word perfume is used today to describe scented mixtures
and is derived from the Latin word, perfume, meaning through
smoke.
• Perfumery, or the art of making perfumes, began in ancient
Egypt but was developed and further refined by the Romans
and the Arabs. Although perfume and perfumery also existed
in East Asia, much of its fragrances are incense based.
• Art of making perfumes Perfumery began in ancient Egypt but
was developed and further refined by the Romans and the
Arabs. Although perfume and perfumery also existed in East
Asia, much of its fragrances are incense based.
INDIAN HISTORY OF PERFUME
• India has a vast history of perfume and aromatic scents; it has been in use
for ages.
• The word perfume is derived from Latin word “per fumus," meaning
through smoke. India has a prosperous history of perfume and scented
articles.
• In India perfume is the pathway to attained spirituality and wellbeing. We

offer perfume to our Hindu god in the form of incense stick, fragrant water,
and fragrant flowers. It is believed that every god has its own favorite
perfume for example Lord Ganesha like grassy scent of durva grass. It is
said to be symbolic of determination and the red Hibiscus offered to Lord
Ganesha and its constant scent is associated with balance.
USE OF PERFUMES IN VEDAS, PURANAS, AND
IN CONTEMPORARY INDIAN LITERATURE
Vedas
• Varied usages of perfumes along with individual
beautification and medicinal purposes can be seen in
Vedic literatures.
• In Rigveda-Srak is used for flower garlands and Aswins
were called as Pushkarasrajau, wearing garlands of Lilies.
• In Atharvaveda use of fragrant drugs like licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.), Kushta (Saussurealappa C.B.
Clarke ); Nalada (Vetiveria zizanioides Linn.) etc. were
mentioned.
Puranas
• Valmiki Ramayana Dasaratha’s (the king of Ayodhya) dead body was kept
in a special tailadroni (a wooden tub filled with oil processed in medicines
and aromatics) to protect the body from decay.
• In Mahabharata three types of Dhupas (incense) were mentioned.
1. Dhupa (fumes) by burning Niryasa (aromatic resin exudation from trees)
like Guggulu (CommiphoramukulEngl), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata Roxb.)
etc. is considered as dearer to Gods and Goddesses.
2. Dhupa by burning of leaves of trees like Sara (Pinus roxberghiSarg), Agaru
(Aquilaria agallochaRoxb), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata Roxb) etc. is dearer
to Yakshas and Rakshasa
3. Kritrima (artificial) Dhupa produced from fermented substances like
Molasses etc. is dearer to Daanavas, (demons) Bhutas (ethereal beings)
and men.
• Vishnu Dharmottara Purana (450-650 A.D) eight
phases of manufacturing perfumes were
described.
• Buddhist Purana In pre Buddhist period, people
were trained in sixty four arts. Gandhayukti (The
art of blending perfumes) is one among them.
• In the Kalika purana describes in detail about ten
types of Gandhadravyas according to the smells.
• Contemporary Indian Literature
• 1. Arthashastra has the descriptions of many
fragrant drugs, which were used as cosmetics
like Sandalwood, Agaru (Aquilaria agallocha)
and TailaParnika (Eucalyptus).
• 2. Ayurvedic literature
• Many of the scented drugs, those used in
contemporary literatures, were also
mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic texts. In
Charaka samhita, Susruta samhita, Ashtanga
hridaya, Ashtanga sangraha etc., many
scented drugs and perfumes were used for
improving the complexion and as deodorant.
EVIDENCE OF PERFUME FROM DIFFERENT ERA
1. Indus valley civilization (3300 BCE - 1300 BCE):
• Archaeologists believe that the art of making perfumes began in India during the
Indus Valley civilization. They found a distillation apparatus made out of terracotta
which dated back into 3000 BCE. Terracotta vessels were discovered that had plugged
orifices and woven material that could be squeezed out to isolate the fragrant oils.
2. Mughal era (Early 16th to mid 18th century):

• In the Mughal period, perfumes were called ‘Itra’, ‘Ittar’or ‘attar’ and, were used in
huge amounts in the harems of the royals.
3. Nawab era( 18th to 19th century):

• After the decline of the Mughal dynasty in the eighteenth century, the Nawabs
governed Awadh and became its rulers. The late Nawab, Wajid Ali Shah, was a kathak
dancer. It is said that he sweated a lot during his dance practice, so he would wear
the Henna attar. And Awadh promoted the cultivation and Ittar craftsmanship, which
is continued till date.
Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh is known as the Perfume capital of India and Kannauj
perfume, is known as Kannauj Ittar or traditional Indian perfume.

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HISTORY OF PERFUMES

• History of perfume The history of perfume began in antiquity.

• In India perfume is the pathway to attained spirituality and wellbeing. We

2. Mughal era (Early 16th to mid 18th century):

3. Nawab era( 18th to 19th century):

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