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Orissa Review * September - October - 2005
Ancient Sundials of Orissa
Sundials are simple time-keeping devices which
works with the help of the Sun. It consists of a
pointer (known as the 'Style') that casts shadow
on a calibrated dial indicating the time. Unlike
mechanical clocks, the sundial does not give the
Standard Time of the country. Rather, it indicates
the Local Time corresponding to the place of
observation. However, the Local Time can be
easily converted to the Standard Time by taking
into account the longitudinal difference between
the place of observation and the standard (mean)
longitude of the country. Sundials are classified
as Equatorial, Horizontal or Vertical depending
on the alignment of the dial to the corresponding
plane.
Evolution of Sundial
The earliest sundial was simply a vertical
pole which was used by the Egyptians around
4000 B.C. The Greeks, by their enormous
mathematical prowess, used it for a variety of
astronomical calculations under the name
'gnomon'. Sawai Jai Singh (1686-1744) the king
of Jaipur, constructed colossal masonry
observatories incorporating various kinds of
sundials at five different places of the country. The
magnificent Sun Temple of Konark, built in 13th
century A.D. is designed into a huge chariot with
its decorated wheels acting as sundials. Each
wheel consists of eight spokes that indicate eight
50
Nikunja Bihari Sahu
'praharas' of the day, one prahara being equal
to three hours of time. The hub of the wheel casts
shadow on the spokes indicating time.
Sundials of Orissa
In Orissa, sundials were mostly
constructed during the British period. Sundials
enjoyed a period of monopoly till the introduction
of mechanical clocks by the Britishers from
England. The devices were generally located in
public places like 'Kachery' to enable people to
keep track of the time. In most devices, each hour
is divided into four divisions and further each
division into three smaller divisions. Thus the dials
were sensitive to indicate a minimum time period
of five minutes which is equivalent to a small
division. Historic sundials are found at
Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Konark, Kendrapara,
Barambagarh, Khandaparagarh, Madhupurgarh
etc. The possibility of many sundials existing
unnoticed at other places cannot be ruled out.
1. Sundial of Mukteswar Temple,
Bhubaneswar
Made of stone, the huge sundial in the
premises of Mukteswar Temple, Bhubaneswar,
belongs to horizontal category and is still in
working condition. But due to many high buildings
and trees located on the southern side of the
sundial, sunlight is often obstructed leaving the
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Orissa Review * September - October - 2005
device non-operational. Account of the
construction period and the constructor of the
device is not known.
2. Sundial of Ravenshaw College, Cuttack
The Sundial was designed by one Mr.
R.C. Choudhury of the Chemistry Department
of the College in the year 1902. Made of brass,
the device belongs to 'horizontal' category and is
in working condition till now.
3. Sundial of Konark
It stands in a desolate place in the
premises of the Inspection Bunglow of Konark
not very far from the Sun Temple. It is made up
of stone and the dial belongs to 'horizontal' type.
The designer is Rai Prasanna Kumar Pal Sahib,
Asst. Engineer; and its Construction Period
is1906. The device is still in working condition.
5. Sundial of Khandaparagarh
This is an 'equatorial' sundial made of
brass and stands in the Kachery campus of
Khandaparagarh. However, its 'style' is damaged
leaving the sundial in a defunct state. It was
designed by Gadadhar Sinha Samanta, the son
of Samanta Chandrasekhara, the illustrious
astronomer of Orissa.
6. Sundial of Barambagarh
This is an 'equatorial' sundial made of
brass which is in the Tahasil Office campus of
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Barambagarh. Its dial is beautifully designed into
a crescent moon shape. However, the style is
dislocated leaving the device in non-operational
condition. Account of the constructor and the
construction period is not known.
7. Sundial of Madhupurgarh
A small horizontal sundial is found in the
premises of Madhupur High School, Kalana of
Jajpur district. This was built by Shri Narayan
Chandra Dhir Narendra, the then king of
Madhupurgarh around the year 1917. The 'style'
is made of iron.
Conservation
These tireless time-keeping devices
represent the best of our technological skill, and
hence, are invaluable assets of our heritage. The
government should go all out to preserve these
ancient masterpieces. The damaged components
should be replaced and calibration of the dial
redone. Write-ups on the devices should be
provided for the benefit of common man.
Encroachment in the vicinity should be cleared to
allow sunlight to fall continuously for uniterrupted
operation of the device throughout the day. Finally,
adequate publicity should be given to attract
scholars for study and research.
Nikunja Bihari Sahu is the Education Officer, Regional
Science Centr e, Pt. Jawah arlal Nehru Marg,
Bhubaneswar-13.
His Excellency the Governor of Orissa
Shri Rameshwar Thakur unveiling the statue of
Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das at Paradeep
on 13.9.2005.