The document proposes the introduction of a new elective subject, Shilpashastra, focusing on the engineering philosophy of ancient India, aiming to integrate India's rich heritage into the engineering curriculum. It outlines the course structure, eligibility, teaching methods, and practical assignments designed to enhance students' understanding of ancient engineering practices. The initiative seeks to empower students with knowledge overlooked in contemporary education and promote an appreciation for India's historical contributions to science and technology.

1. Introduction of a new Elective subject
Shilpashastra
(Engineering Philosophy of ancient India)
In Engineering Curriculum
By
Dr. A. S. Nene
Retd. Professor of Civil Engineering
VNIT Nagpur

2. • It is not true that our ancestors were unaware of
‘Science and Technology’.
• Out of 120 world heritage structures, 37 are situated
in India alone.
• Few world famous heritage structures such, Asoka
Pillar, Tajmahal, Ajanta paintings, Ellora rock sculptures
, cave paintings of Bhimbetka, forts of Rajastan etc. are
visited by thousands of foreign tourists.

3. Indian students were deliberately
deprived of ancient Indian wisdom
 Education System compelled by British
Rulers/ Invaders.
 Destruction of Gurukul System.
 Neglect of Sanskrit language
 Banning of small scale industries to promote
import of foreign goods.

4. Mental Slavery of Indian Educationists
• Till 1960 there was no Text book by
Indian author.
• Till 1975 there was no Text book in
regional languages.
• Till today no author of Indian Text
book has bothered to mention India’s
contribution to that subject.

5. Chronology of Swadeshi Movement
In 1833- Rama Raja , a Judge and Sanskrit scholar
submitted a thesis entitled “Essay on Architecture of
Hindus” to Royal Asiatic society of London.
In 1876 Rev. J.E.Cornus translated a Sanskrit text
‘Mayamatam ‘ into English.
In 1880 Tyagaraj Ayyiar– translated Manasar –Indian
Architecture text , into English.
In 1927 – Prasanna Kumar Acharya (Varanasi) compiled
an Enclyopedia of Hindu Architecture in 10 volumes .

6. Twentieth Century Pioneers
Subsequently following research scholars
continued the work of highlighting the
importance of Indian Shilpa Shastra
Dixitaar (Bangalore), Madayaa (Mysore),
R.G. Bhandarkar (Pune), K.V.Vaze (Nasik),
G.G.Joshi (Nagpur), R.P. Kulkarni (Nasik)
to name few.

7. Famous Quotation by Max Muller
(from ‘What India can teach us’)
In a country , which has the richest
heritage of languages, arts, science,
culture, philosophy, very few Indians
know ancient knowledge of their own
subject or profession.

8. Those who forget their past ,
have no FUTURE – Chanakya

9. Outline of proposed subject
Shilpashastra
Engineering philosophy of ancient India

10. Eligibility of Students for
• Those who have passed Second Year of Civil
Engineering ( 4 Year course). OR Those who
have passed Third Year of Architecture ( 5 Year
course) would be eligible for this Two
semesters duration, Interactive Elective
Subject .
•The class would comprise of Min 24 Max 32
students.

11. Resource Persons
Two Teachers each from Department
of Civil Engineering and Department
of Architecture.
Visiting Faculty would be hired if
necessary.

12. Significant Features
Mode of
Learning
Self learning with nominal introduction by
teachers
Theory Three periods per week.
Practicals Five per semester per batch
Assignments Two per group per semester, with group
presentations
Field Visits Study tour 7 to 10 days duration during
Mid-semester break
Examination Open book examination
Evaluation &
Result
Grade point system. No weightage on
Final Degree . Issue of Certificate.

13. Details of Theory Classes per Semester
•Available periods-3x4x4=48 no.
•Total Topics to be covered -Six
•Periods per topic- 8 – 9 Nos
•First period of every topic would be
Introductory lecture by faculty.
•Remaining 7-8 periods would include
group discussion and presentations.

14. List of Practicals
For a batch of 16 to 20 students
(Any five experiments per Semester)
•Orientation –Marking cardinal points (East –West) on ground
during day or night
•Fabrication of six tools of engineer (Sthapati)
•Site Investigation
• Building layout with ancient tools
•Testing of building materials – Wood, Stone, Lime, bricks
•Preparation of models- Brick bonds
•Preparation of models- wood joinery ,
•Preparation of models- Types of staircases or Roofs
•Preparation of mortars –Lime-Surkhi, waterproof mortars.

15. •Preparation of Adamantine glues-Vajrabandha, Vrajralep,
Hide glue etc
•Preparation of Organic colors, lime colors
•Seasoning of wood
•Crack detection dyes for stones
•Mud stabilization for bricks, roofing tiles, pottery etc.
•Mud flooring.
•Models for different types of masonry arches
•Preparation for wall surfaces for painting or Fresco etc
•Checking purity of gold or silver by ancient methods.

16. List of Assignments: Based on Case studies
Two per group per semester, with group presentations
•Gadi / Mud forts
•Laxman temple Sirpur
•Padmanabhpuram Temple
•Different types of forts
•Any two aspects of Town planning
•Short introduction to ancient texts on Vastu shastra –any two
texts- 1-Mayamatam, 2-Samarangan Sutradhar,3-
Manushyalaya Chandrika,4-Vishnudharmottar PuraN, 5- Varah
Samhita, 6-Shatapath Bramhan, 7-Aparatjit Pruchha or Any
other samhita

17. Study Tour
A Study tour to historical sites with
objective of data collection on,
History
Planning
Materials of Construction
Performance & Maintenance
Submission of report.

18. Tentative Time Schedule
Practicals – once in fortnight – (8 or 9)
Assignment – once in fortnight – (8 or 9)
per semester
ALL Four Batches-A B C D
Theory – 3 periods of (44-46) per semester
Batches A+B or C+D

19. Studio cum Laboratory
•Open to sky unpaved ground area – min 80
sq.m.
•Cover Laboratory –for 5 practicals
simultaneously.
•Display boards
•Hand tools etc.

20. Theory Classes
Topic and Period wise Description

21. First Semester
1-Introduction to the subject
1 Introduction of Topic
1 Shilpashastra Terminology
1 Devine Engineers/ Architects
1 Sthapati & his team
1 Tools of Sthapati
1 Six Commandments
2 Units of Measurement
Total 8 Periods

22. First Semester
2 Site Selection
1 Introduction of Topic
1 Marking cardinal point NESW
1 General ground Inspection
1 Visual &Simple field tests
1 Modern Interpretations
3 Material Inspection
Total 8 Periods

23. First Semester
3 Natural Resources
1 Introduction of Topic
3 Botanical Science
2 Veterinary Science
2 Human Resources
Total 8 Periods

24. First Semester
4 Jalashastra –Water Resources
1 Introduction of Topic
1 Sources of water
2 Water Storage
2 Water Distribution
2 Drainage of water
Total 8 Periods

25. First Semester
5 Khani –Mining & Metallurgy
1 Introduction of Topic
1 Gemology
2 Calcinations
2 Making of Alloys
2 Separation of ores or metals
Total 8 Periods

26. First Semester
6 Transportation Engineering
1 Introduction of Topic
3 Surface Transport
2 Water
2 Air
Total 8 Periods

27. Second Semester
7 Vastu Shastra
1 Introduction of Topic
2 Site selection criteria
2 Foundations
2 Walls and Columns
2 Staircases
2 Roofs
Total 11 Periods

28. Second Semester
8 Forts and Castles
1 Introduction of Topic
2 Ancient warfare
2 Types of Forts
2 Types of Castles
2 Types of Moats
2 Ethics of War
Total 11 Periods

29. Second Semester
9 Town planning
1 Introduction of Topic
1 Markets
2 Palaces
2 Guest Houses
2 Public Utilties
2 Temple Architecture
1 Parks & Gardens
Total 11 Periods

30. Second Semester
10 –Machines & Mechanisms
1 Definition of Yantra
2 Requirements of M/c
4 Different types of ancient M.c
Total 7 Periods

31. Second Semester
11 –Environmental Science
1 Introduction of Topic
2 Need of pollution control
2 Ground pollution control
2 Water pollution control
1 Air /space/ sound pollution
control
Total 8 Periods

32. Second Semester
12 –Vedic literature
1 Introduction of Topic
2 Veda
2 Upanishada
2 Purana
1 Other Scripture
Total 8 Periods

33. Reference Materials to be made
available in Departmental Library
•Print books –Minimum 100
•Journals -5 (Hard or Soft copy)
•Soft copies of reference books , papers -
250 No.
•Video Tapes – 50 No.
•DVD can be sent by Author on REQUEST

34. Conclusions
• Detailed Teaching plan for the proposed Elective is
presented herein.
• The study of this elective would enhance the personal
quality through public speaking, group working and
leadership qualities of the students .
•Similar elective subject can be planned for other
branches (Mechanical/ Mining/ Metallurgy etc )

35. Additional References
For implementation of Scheme

36. Books published by Dr. A.S. Nene
Print Books
P1 Pride of India, Published by Sanskrit Bharati,
New Delhi. 2006
P2 Bharatiya Shilpashastre (Marathi book),
Published by Nachiket Prakashan, Nagpur. 2008
P3 Geotechnical Engineering , Published by Pune
Vidyarth Gruha Prakashan, Pune (Included in
Time capsule at Paris as India’s contribution )
2011
P4 Vaimaanik Shashtra by Talapade (Hindi) 2018

37. E Books
E1 Transportation Engineering-May 2010
E2 Water Resources Engineering-May 2011
E3 Engineering & Technology of ancient India-Dec
2011
E4 Thirty-two Vidyas-March 2012
E5 Building Materials of Ancient India-March 2012
E6 Botany of Ancient India-Jan 2015
E7 Engineering Philosophy of ancient India -Jun 2015

38. E Books
E8 Bhrugu Shilpa Samhita May 2016
E9 Forts & Castles of ancient India-Dec 2017
E10 Khani Shastra –Mining and Metallurgy of
ancient India –October 2018
E11 Compendium of Papers and Articles on
Shilpashatra –December 2018
E12 Modern relevance of ancient Vastushastra

39. For more information Contact
Dr. A.S. Nene
E Mail ID –
prof.ashhok.nene@gmail.com
Nene_ashok@yahoo.com
Web site –search google.com with
word ‘ashoknene’