Civil Engineering in Ancient India ll Sthapatya Kala ll Vastu Kala by Dr Veenus Jain

<p>India was a World Guru , and has made world’s largest contributions in the field of science and technology. Civil Engineering in Ancient India was known as Sthapatya Kala and term Vastu &nbsp;originally derived from the root word vas, &nbsp;meaning &nbsp;to &nbsp;dwell or &nbsp;a &nbsp;dwelling &nbsp;place. &nbsp;&nbsp;Art &nbsp;of &nbsp;architecture &nbsp;and &nbsp;construction &nbsp;in &nbsp;ancient &nbsp;Indian texts &nbsp;is &nbsp;called Vastu Vidhya. &nbsp;The &nbsp;details &nbsp;of &nbsp;Vastu &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;had &nbsp;been &nbsp;rigorously &nbsp;dealt across &nbsp;&nbsp;various &nbsp;&nbsp;ancient &nbsp;treatises like Vishwakarma’s Vastu Shastra, Rishi Bhrigu’s Bhrigu Samhita, Mayamatam said &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;to &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;be &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;written &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;by &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;sage &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mayamuni, Samarangana Sutradhara of Bhojadeva and Aparajita &nbsp;prccha .These technical &nbsp;&nbsp;treatises &nbsp;&nbsp;contain &nbsp;&nbsp;elaborate descriptions on the aspects of architecture and engineering. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Entire &nbsp;universe including &nbsp;our &nbsp;body is &nbsp;composed &nbsp;of &nbsp;five basic &nbsp;elements- Air, &nbsp;Earth, &nbsp;Fire, Space &nbsp;and &nbsp;Water &nbsp;called “Panch &nbsp;Mahabhoot” . &nbsp;There &nbsp;are &nbsp;five basic &nbsp;principles &nbsp;on &nbsp;which &nbsp;the &nbsp;great &nbsp;edifice &nbsp;of the Vastu science of architecture stands are: Examination and Selection of Site: - Bhu Pariksha. &nbsp;&nbsp;Orientation:-Dik Nirnaya. &nbsp;&nbsp;Planning &nbsp;of &nbsp;various component:-Padavinyasa &nbsp;(Vastu Purusha Mandala) &nbsp;&nbsp;Proportion and Measurement of building:-Manna and Ayadi. &nbsp;The &nbsp;aesthetics &nbsp;of &nbsp;the building: - Bhulambamana &nbsp;or Chanada. &nbsp;Before taking you to a journey of ancient Indian architecture let me tell you that even prior to marvellous ancient Indian architecture marvels of architectural knowledge of Indians can be witnessed even in the pre historic sites of Indus Valle