Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Nene
Contents
Introduction Surface Transport Ratha-shastra Water Transport Nauka-shastra Air-Space transport Agniyan-shastra Concluding Remarks References
Introduction - Shilpashashtra
Engineering sciences were very advanced in India in
Vidya- Vidya means a particular technique. One must have both theoretical and practical knowledge of that subject. There are 32 Vidyas related to Shilpashashtra. Kala - Kala means an art which can be acquired by practice and observation. Even a handicapped person can be expert In a particular art without any theoretical knowledge. There are 64 Kalas related to Shilpashashtra.
Shastra Engineering Science Krishi Biological Sciences Jala Water Resources Khani Mining & Metallurgy Ratha Surface Transport Nauka Water Transport Vyomayan Air or Space Transport Veshma Dwellings
Prakaara Forts
NagarRachana Town planning Yantra Machines
Seven Kala(s) -Arts or Skills Balhadibhirjaldarshan Floats & Buoys Sutradirajjukaran Rope preparation Patbandhan Cloth to mast Naukanayan Navigation Samabhumikriya Ground leveling Shilarcha Breaking stones Vivarkaran Tunneling
Reasons for loss of ancient technical literature Natural - Limited life of the writing materials, Language Most of the texts are in Sanskrit. Secrecy The knowledge was encrypted Foreign aggression Improper interpretation Neglect by modern engineers Religion misconception Irrelevance
Vidyas Patha Vidya - Construction of roads Ghantapath Vidya Construction of hill roads Ashwa Vidya - Horse riding Setu Vidya- Construction of bridges
Kalas Samabhumikriya- Leveling of ground Shilarcha - Breaking of rocks Vivarkaran - Tunnel construction Vrutakhandabandhan Construction of arches
Yuktikalpataru gives the description of method of construction and materials for Doli Mayamat has a separate chapter on land vehicles
Ratha or chariot - One can find description of Ratha in ancient Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata
Trees for chariot construction Manasara ,Bhrugusamhita and Kautilya Arthshashtra recommends wood of certain trees for chariot construction . The tres are; Khadir, Jackfruit Babul
Tunnel roads (Chhinnapath) must have fire at the ends of tunnel (Bhrugudar). Dharmashala (free rest houses) on the both ends of a bridge ( For traffic jam situation) Road surface sloping from centre to edges for quick water disposal Paved road surface to avoid frequent repairs Setu (bridge) necessary to cross a river. Adequate Ghats (bathing places) with steps should constructed at the ends of a bridge Imposition of fines to prevent pollution of bathing places and area near roadside trees by passengers
Bhrugusamhita compares a hill road with a creeper climbing on a tall tree by gradual rising.
The text recommends that : The slope for hill roads should be 1 to 16 The surface should be sloping towards the hill side.
Planning of Roads
An ancient text "Mayamat" has a separate chapter on planning of villages or towns. Village classification was based on number of roads. The various types of villages are shown in a Table.
6 7 8
18 to 22 3 to 7 28 to 38
Ancient References:
Bhrugusamhita Kautilya Arthshashtra
Contact