Edited & Compiled by Dr.A.S.

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

ancient period (as early as 5000 BC).

More than thousand texts (Shilpasamhitas) can be mentioned on the various engineering sciences There are references in ancient Indian literature such as Vedas, Puranas, and Shilpa-Samhitas) etc.

Most of the practices mentioned in these references

are scientific and relevant to modern engineering.

Terms and terminology

Shilpa - The Sanskrit word has a very wide meaning, other than sculpture or idol. Shilpa includes many articles (things), machines, innovations, metals, and artificial means. Shilpashashtra - science which deals with creation of a Shilpa is termed as Shilpashashtra.

 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.

Scope and extent of Shilpashashtra

Table 1.1 - Extent of 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

Nine Vidya-s related to Transportation Engineering

Raft making Boat making Bridges Ship building Horse riding Nadi Vidya Nauka Vidya Setu Vidya Nauka Vidya Ashwa Vidya

Roads Hill roads Training of Birds Aeronautics

Patha Vidya Ghantapath Vidya Shakunta Vidya Viman Vidya

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

Absence of technical data

A- Surface Transport - Rathashashtra

Clay carts found at Mohenjodaro Excavations

Vidyas & Kalas under Rathashashtra

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

History of Surface Transport:

The first land vehicle -Bhumiyan was feet of a human Head transportation The next improvisation was Doli or palanquin Subsequently man stated using animals such as horse, camel, elephant etc.

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

Properties of a good road

Ancient texts mention twelve desirable properties of good road which are relevant to modern construction practices. Smooth and hard surface Level and straight without bends as far as possible Width between 1 to 7 danda (1 danda nearly equal to 2 meters) Trees on both sides of road and wells for drinking water Traffic control rooms equipped with bells at suitable locations. Animals attached to vehicles on hill road (Ghantapath) must have bells on their necks

 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.

Bridge Road tax

Ancient texts recommends that a road tax should be recovered from vehicles crossing the bridge. This tax should be comparable to river ferry charges

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.

Classification of a village or town

Type Number of roads in a particular direction North to South 1 3 to 7 4 8 to 12 13 to 18

East to West Dandaka 1 Prastara 3 Swastik Prakirnaka Nandivrata 4 4 5

Paraga Padma Shripratishtha

6 7 8

18 to 22 3 to 7 28 to 38

The Swastik road configuration is considered the best.

The concept of bypass roads originated from this configuration.

Ancient References:
Bhrugusamhita Kautilya Arthshashtra

Maanasaara Matsya Purana, Mayamat Samarangana Sutradhara Yuktikalpataru

Contact

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