In Chapter II of Kautilya’s Arthashastra, the duties of 29 adhyakshas appointed by the king as the heads of various departments of the state are enumerated. Lohadhyaksha is the superintendent of metals in ancient Hinduism.
Lohadhyaksh establishes factories of copper, lead, tin, brass, steel, bronze, bell metal, and iron, and also establishes trade in metal-ware.
He is a very important person as he supplies the metals needed to make chariot and weapons. He is to makes sure that all materials supplied are of the greatest quality. He has to make sure enemies have not infiltrated in the making of materials.