Science and techology from india

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Architecture found in ancient Indian temples showcases the country's old,

rich and splendid culture. These temples (some dating back to more than 1700

years) display intricate carvings and sculptures, which bear testimony to

the craftsmanship and creativity of the artisans, sculptors and artists of

ancient India. These also serve as ample evidence of the vision and

forethought of the kings and rulers of our olden times to leave behind a

heritage that modern INDIA could be proud of.

 

In ancient India the Science of Architecture and Civil Construction was

known as Sthapatya-Shastra. The word Sthapatya is derived from the root word

Sthaapana i.e.'to establish'. The technique of architecture was both a

science and an art; hence it is also known as Sthapatya-kala, the word Kala

meaning an art.

 

>From very early times, the construction of temples, palaces, rest houses and

other civil constructions were undertaken by professional architects. Even

during the Vedic times, there existed professionals who specialized in the

technique of constructing chariots and other heavy instruments of war. These

professionals have been referred to in the Rig Veda as Rathakara, which

literally means 'chariot maker'.

 

The excavations of the ruins at Mohenjodaro and Harrappa (today in Pakistan)

dated around 3000 B.C. proved the existence of a developed urban

civilization in India. The existence of an urban civilization presumes the

existence of well-developed techniques of architecture and construction.

Unfortunately, as far as the Indus Valley civilization goes, no records have

been preserved either as rock edicts, manuscripts, etc., or in folk tales

and legends.

 

But in the later ages, from about the 7th century B.C., we have both

literature references as well as archeological evidences to prove the

existence of large urban civilizations in the Ganges Valley. Like in most

other sciences, in architecture also, the scientific ideas and techniques

have been integrated with philosophy and theology. This was so, as majority

of the large constructions were temples. The builders of Hindu temples

rarely used mortar, but instead used a technique where the stones could be

affixed to one another with the force of gravity. The exquisite carvings

were engraved after the stones had been fixed in their places. Thus the

carving of figurines, right up to the top of a temple roof, must have been a

demanding task. Such carvings are especially seen in the gopuram towers of

the South Indians temples and on the tall doorways to the temples. The

Rajagopurams or main towers of such temples rise to a height of nearly 90 to

100 ft. and are fully carved with various figurines depicting Gods and

Goddesses from the Hindu scriptures.