1. Ancient Indian engineers had advanced engineering sciences as evidenced in texts from 5000 BC to 1500 AD, with over 1000 texts on various engineering disciplines. 2. Shilpashastra refers to the science of creating structures and included knowledge of materials, transportation, habitat design, and machines. It had 32 vidyas (techniques) and 64 kalas (arts). 3. Ancient Indian texts describe various ground improvement techniques using gravel, boulders, sand and stone to stabilize marshy land, as well as draining techniques. 4. Traditional plasticizers, fibers, polymers and techniques were used in brick making, mud plastering and other construction activities. Although some ancient techniques may not be relevant

1. A.S.Nene
Professor of Civil Engineering (Retd)
VNIT Nagpur, India

2. Introduction - Shilpashashtra
Engineering sciences were very advanced in India in
ancient period (5000 BC to 1500 AD).
More than thousand texts can be mentioned on the
various engineering sciences
Many references are available in ancient Indian
literature (Vedas, Puranas, and Shilpa-Samhitas etc).
Most of the practices mentioned in these references
are scientific and relevant to modern engineering.

3. The word Shilpa is derived from words
Sheel samadhou ,which mean
“any thing that pleases the mind “

4. Terms and terminology
. Shilpashashtra - Science which deals with
creation of a Shilpa.
. Shilpa Samhita –Compilation (of rules and
procedures) related to Shilpashastra.
Sthapati – One who has complete knowledge of
Shilpa Samhita (An engineer or architect).

5. Extent of Shilpa
3 Parts- (Khanda)
A B C
Dhatu -Materials Sadhana - Transport Vastu -Habitat 10. Yantra
Machines
1.Krushi 4.Rath 5.Nau 6.Agniyan 7.Veshma
Biological Sciences Surface Water Air / space Housing
2.Jala 8.Prakar
Water Resources Forts/ Castles
3.Khani 9.Nagar Rachana
Mining & Metallurgy Town Planning

6. Vidya- Vidya means a particular technique. One must
have both theoretical and practical knowledge of that
subject.
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 32 Vidyas and 64 Kalas related to
Shilpashashtra.

7. Relevant Vidya & Kalas
Vidya Kalas
8.Bhasmikaran 27. Estikadibhajan- Making of
(Incineration) bricks, roof tiles etc
48. Mrudsadhan- Collection of
soils for a specific purpose
53. Mrudkarm- Soil conditioning

8. GROUND IMPROVEMENT
As a leather is stretched by driving nails, the ground was
stabilized (by Gods) with gravels and boulders.
Shatapatha Brahman, Chapter 21

9. “The marshy land was stabilized by gods using sands”
Kapisamhita, 6.7

10. If ground is waterlogged, then the water should be
drained out by digging drains parallel to north-east and
refilling the trenches by brickbats and stones so that
excess water drains out.

11. SOIL STABILIZATION
Functions of soil plasticizers
• Increase the workability with minimum water
content
• Increase the water repellent property
• Increase the strength by increasing the
density.
• Impart glazing to pottery products.

12. Ancient plasticizers can be grouped as
Extracts of Herbs, Fruits and tree barks
Trifala- Aamla, Hirda and Behada1
Wood apple2, Holy tree fruit3
Barks- Khadir4, Arjun trees

13. Natural fibers
Cotton, coir, wool, silk cotton1 , jute2

14. Natural polymers
Cow Dung, Jaggaery, Coconut water,
Eggs, Green Algae, burnt coconut shell

15. Brick making
Bricks of Lothal -1500 BC Village Sirpur (chhattisgarh)
5th century AD.

16. Foundry soils for metal casting
The Dhokra Technique of the tribal artists of Bastar
1. The first layer, the closest to the wax sculpture,
is the river bed soil, water and coal powder applied
with brush.
2. A paste of red soil with rice husk is applied to first dry
solidified layer This is applied with hands.
3.A final coating of rice husk, sand and clay
is applied to the entire surface of the piece.
.

17. Idols - Mud plaster
This constancy is determined by rolling
the clay mass on the palms. When the lines
of palm are clearly impressed on the clay
mass the constancy is proper.
Liquidity index for this consistency (Palm line limit)
corresponds to 15 to 20 %

18. CASE STUDIES
A. Gadhi soils –white soil
The main constituents
are local soil, fine sand,
cow dung, quick lime,
extracts of Belphal ,
fibers of jute and water
for mixing.
The mixture is allowed to
mature for a minimum
period of 30 days and
kneaded everyday.

19. 2. Mud flooring.
The floors of
Padmanabhapurum palace
(1601 A.D) in Kerala were
made of a material that is
unique blend of burnt
coconut shells, quick lime,
palm toddy, the whites of
eggs and extracts of
certain barks of trees and
nuts.

20. Reasons for loss of ancient technical literature
Natural - Limited life of the writing materials,
Language – Most of the texts were in Sanskrit.
Secrecy – The knowledge was encrypted
Foreign aggression
Improper interpretation
Neglect by modern engineers
Religion –misconception
Irrelevance
Absence of technical data

21. CONCLUSIONS
1. Ancient Indian engineers and artisans had deep
knowledge about ground improvement and
stabilization techniques.
2. Many of the ancient Indian techniques may not
be relevant as modern methods and materials
are more cost effective. But one must appreciate
the ancient Indian knowledge which was
centauries ahead of that available in rest of the
world.
3. There is a need to preserve this treasure of
ancient Indian traditions.

22. This paper is based on references from
the vast collection of rare literature on
Shilpasamhita, compiled by Late Shri
G.G.Joshi, Nagpur