Family doctors of last century used to say

Go, use this, It will work

But modern Specialist doctors say

Go, try this, it may work

Sushruta says Cancer is not a disease,

cancer cells are present in every human
body
Modern doctors say Diabetes cannot be
cured, it can be only controlled

ISC-2015 Mumbai

Same is true for Engineering.

Ancient Temples, Palaces, Forts etc were

constructed to last for 1000 years,

But modern buildings, after 100 years, are
declared UNSAFE.

What is the secret of endurance of our

heritage structures?
ISC-2015 Mumbai

By A.S. Nene
Professor of Civil Engineering (Retd),

VNIT Nagpur
nene_ashok@yahoo.com

Shilpashastra means
Engineering philosophy Ancient India
It

comprises

of

Inter

linked,

Ten

sciences

(10Shastras), Thirty-two techniques (32 Vidyas) and

sixty-four skills (64 Kalas).

Hence one can find hundreds of references of botany

related to engineering.

Many

ancient

texts,

describes

engineering

applications of various components (Panchanga) of

trees,

plants,or

creepers

roots,

stems,

leaves,flowers and seeds

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The Engineering applications of botany

1. Adobe construction
2. Tempering of steel implements
3. Water purification.
4. Rainfall predictions.
5. Gold plating of copper and silver

6. Crack detection by herbal paints.

7. Adamantine Glue.
8. Lime Mortars and lime plasters
9. Basic colors and pigments.
10.Herbal paste for water divining.
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Adobe Construction
21 Kutti Vidya -48 Mrutsadhan
Chemical

soil

stabilization

includes

soil

selection, treatment with organic additives.

Such soil is used for brick earth, mud

walls,

plastering,

outer

coat

of

idols,

pottery, base coat of cave paintings and

other purposes.
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Soil plasticizers
Functions of soil plasticizers are; to increase

1. workability with optimum water content

2. water repellent property

3. strength by increasing the density

Soil plasticizers can be grouped as 1-Extracts of
Flowers: Palash, Shalmali
Fruits : Trifala,Wood apple, Holy tree fruit

Barks: Khadir, Arjun trees

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2-Natural fibers
Cotton, coir, wool, silk cotton , jute, spider web
etc.

3-Natural polymers
Cow Dung, Jaggery, Coconut water, Eggs, Green Algae, rice
husk, burnt coconut shell etc.

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1a Bricks and Roofing tiles

8-BhasmikaraN-27 Ishtikadibhajan

Ref-Tantrasamuchhyaya,Sakaladhikar and Vastu

Vidya, Aparajitprichha

Product

Ingredients

Brick earth-Bricks

hairs of goat, fine sand, iron slag

and stone dust. barks of milky trees
decoction (Kashaya),
Brick earth-Crucibles
sand, stone dust and iron slag
Brick earth-light weight Rice Husk
bricks
Adobe floors
Isabgol (psyllium hulls)
Earthen pots
Satu, powder of Amaksh ,Tatwasi
and coconut water 8:1 parts
Ceramic pots
Shraveshat,Guggul and Kunda grass
Glazing of earthen pots milk ,ghee, honey and Herb powder
Coloring of Clay pots
sesame powder and resins of
Kapittha and Beal, desired color
Mud plaster for clay
cows milk, linseed oil, floor of wheat
idols.
and barley. gum and Lime
Foundry soils

23
coal powder, rice husk, sand andclay
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13th Centuary Floating Bricks of

Ter and Dhoki Villiage
Sizes in mm : 100 x 75 x 62.5 Min to 300 x 150
75.
Weight in kg: 0.75 min to 3.15 Max.
Density ratio (Std Brick/ Ter brick): 1.88 to 2.37
Floating period prior to sinking in water : 4 to 40
hours .
Ingredients: Rice Husk creating
partially
interconnected pores.

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Tempering or hardening of tools

1. Heating the tool in fire until it becomes red hot.
2. Application of paste of certain materials (excreta of

pigeon and rat,

powder of horns of a buffalo and

milk extract of a

Mandar plant) OR

dipping the

red-hot tool in Solution of buttermilk and ash of

banana plant.
3. Sharpening the tools. Ref.Brihatsamhia ch.54
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3-Water Purification:
Powder of Nirmali seeds is used to remove the turbidity of

water,
roots of Khus plant to give pleasant smell to drinking water
certain seeds to kill the bacteria present in the water. Ref.BS

Ch.54
Use of Basil or Bilva leaf was known for increasing shelf life
water.
Core of Jamun tree wood acts as algaecide, it destroys the
algae in 24 hours.
Seeds of drumstick tree also act as coagulant for turbidity
removal. Ref.Pade
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14

Period
Editor

Aim

Ingredients

Process

Use
Experimental
Results
(VNIT
Nagpur )

Abhilashartha ChintamaNi
1124-1127 A.D.
King Somadev

Raw water purification

Khus,
Chandan,
pippali,
Nagarmotha
,
cardamom, and Multani Mitti for cover
Mix all ingredients and encapsulate in Multani
Miiti dove. Prepare peanut size pallets.
Calcinate at 600 deg.
One palette per 5 litres of water
DO increase: 5 to 11, COD increase:51 to
220 , MPN decrease :2400 to 14
Process
patented
by
Dr.Deopujari
&
Dr.Mandavgane, 2011.
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Wood Varnish

Extract

of

barks

of

milky

(Vat,Pipal,Umber, Beal and cedar trees)

trees
is

mixed in water. Mixture is boiled. sealing wax,

Jatuling, oil and Hingul is added. Such varnish is
applied to wood for polishing and preservation.
Ref. Shilparatna 1.14

Detection Of Defects In Rocks

23-Prasad Vidya- 55 PratimakaraN

Microscopic defects in stones , which were

invisible to eyes, were detected by applying

some herbal paints so that the defects were

clearly visible. Ref. Shilparatna 1.14.33-36

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Herbal paints for stone softening

Mix powder atis root 1, Hiracus 2 and
red ochre 3 in milk. Apply this paint to
the stone and keep it overnight. OR
Grind and mix Jatamasi,Rog and
Aswamari 5 in rain water. Apply the
solution to the stone. Ref.Shilparatna

Admantine Glues & Mortars

Vajrabandha & Vajralep
In ancient India

different materials were used for

mortar and plaster. Texts such as Vishnudharmottar

Puran,

Samarangan

Sutradhar,

Aparajitpruccha,

Abhilisharth Chintamani and Brihat Samhita mention

such materials.

45
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Ref
BS

Purpose
Stone masonry
Mortar

Ingrediants
Decoction (of Unripe fruits of Tinduka and Kapittaka,
Flowers of silk cotton , Seeds of Sallaki) and barks of
Dhanavana and Vacha and
Shrivasaka, Raktabola
(myrrh), Guggulu , Bhallataka , Kunduruka Atasi resin ,
Bilva tree fruit
SR
Stone masonry Unripe fruits of Tinduka and Kapittaka , flowers of silk
Mortar
cotton, seeds of Sallaki ,barks of Dhanavana and Vaca .
MM Stone masonry Lac , Kunduru, soot (lamp black), Guggulu, wood-apple,
Mortar
Manjiostha resin, Bilva fruit kernel, fruits of Naga,
neem,Tinduka , Madana , Madhuka, myrrh and
Ambalaka.
ABIdol fixing mortar 1-Finely powdered conch,2-gall-nut (Myphal)
Kerala
3-sealing wax ,4-Fruits of gooseberry
5-Resin of pinus damar,6-Cotton fibers
7-Medium sizes gravels
8-Small sizes gravels
SR
Hide Glue -Vajra fresh skin of a buffalo cooked in water

Ref
VDP

Purpose
Plaster for Stone
masonry

SS

Mud plaster for

stone masonry

AP

Mud plaster for

stone masonry

AC

Lime plaster for

stone masonry
Stone masonry
Mortar

BS

Ingrediants
Surkhi, Guggul, Bee wax, Mahua
flowers,Jaggery, saaf flower oil, lime ,belgiri,
Bark of Pakar, Neem
Sand, Clay, Juice of cactus, Petha, Kharmarjiri,
Sugar cane, Milk, Fruits of Shisam, Arjun,
Belgiri pulp
Chalk, Geru, Yellow ochre, Linsed, Barlry,
Wheat flour, Barks of milky trees, Milk, flowers
of Mohuva
Chalk, powder of shells, Gud, Glue
Decoction (of Unripe fruits of Tinduka and
Kapittaka, Flowers of silk cotton , Seeds of
Sallaki) and barks of Dhanavana and Vacha
and Shrivasaka, Raktabola (myrrh), Guggulu ,
Bhallataka , Kunduruka Atasi resin , Bilva
treeISC-2015
fruitMumbai

21

Shilparatna
techniques

mentions
for

lime

different
mortars.Many

natural polymers are mentioned in this

text.
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22

Natural Polymers
Ingredient for Lime mortar & plasters
1 Ash

9 Cow dung

17 Mahuwa flowers

2 Bark of Neem

10 Egg white

18 Milk, curd or ghee

3 Bark of Pakar tree 11 Flowers Silk cotton tree 19 Mustard cake

4 Bee wax

12 Green gram (Moog)

5 Belgiri (aegle'pulp) 13 Guggul

20 oil
21 Powder of Cattle

horn
6 Black gram(Udad ) 14 Hemp fiber

22 Resin of Sal tree

7 Brick powder

15 Jaggery

23 Rice husk

8 Clay

16 Juice of Cactus

24 Saaf flower oil

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Ref
SR

Purpose
Lime Mortar

SR

Molding Lime for

sculpturing

SR

non-shrinking Plaster

SR

8d-Waterproof lime
mortar

Ingredients
ripe bananas, fibers of cotton
and pulp of cactus or decoction
of barks of trees
(Pipal.Amla,Kadamb) and paste
of black gram
Lime+ Fine sand, decoction of
moog, jiggery water and Banana
powder
Lime+ Curd, milk, black gram
paste, gud, ghee, ripe bananas,
coconut and mango pulp
Ghee, coconut water, black
gram paste , extract of barks
of milky trees , milk, curd,
decoction of Trifala,

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Ref
MSU

Purpose
Base coat for Cave Paintings -

ASI

Base coat for Cave Paintings - Bagha

Base coat for Cave Paintings - Sirgirea

caves

Base coat for Cave Paintings -Aantha

SR

Leveling coat of lime plaster

ISC-2015 Mumbai

Ingredients
Powder of conchs, kapitha,
pulses, molasses, and boiled
bananas.
Red clay, green gram, lime
and jute.
Tempered kaolin clay, rice
husk, Coconut shell fibers and
lime.
Clay, cow dung, stone
powder, rice husk and lime.
Slaked lime and 1 part of
powder of dry raw
banana.(3:1)

25

Colors and Paints

The main purpose of colors and paints
To enhance the aesthetics of any structure.
To improve the durability .

Related ancient Indian texts

Vishnudharmottara Purana

Chitrasutra
Manosollas

Basic Colors
White, yellow, red, black and blue
are five basic (pure) colors. All other
composite

colors

are

made

from

these colors. Ref. Vishnudharmottar

PuraN, Ch.27

Basic Color

White color

Yellow color
Red color
Black color
Blue color
Golden color
Organic Colors
for Textile
printing

Ingredients
lime made of shells or mother of pearls or
from white clay (pottery clay-Kaolin)+ resins
of Neem or wood apple tree
yellow wood trees (Haridru) and yellow soil
Sindur (Vermilion), Gaierik (Red ochre), Hingul
(Cinnabar) or Laksharus (Shellac)
The lamp black
blue minerals or indigo and resin of wood
apple.
gold foil pulverized with fine sand. Sand is
separated with water.
Woods of suitable colors, crushed into water

ISC-2015 Mumbai

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Dowsing is a method to locate underground

water sources. This technique includes use

of pendulums, Y shaped tree branch.
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31

person

person

Water Diviner
born as
Breach

possesses

some

child

magnetic

powers which are useful for water

dowsing.
But dowsing can be done
person

with

mentioned

in

the

help

ancient

Mantrashashtra.

by any
of

Indian

herbs
text

herbal

paste

grinding eleven

is

prepared

by

types of seeds or

roots in cows urine. Such paste is

applied to the feet of a person.

This

paste

helps

in

locating

underground water.
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35

The constituents of this herbal paste.

Table - Constituents of this herbal paste
Sanskrit Name

English/ Latin

Sanskrit Name

English/ Latin

1 Vanhi

Marking nut Tree

2 Koshataki

Wild ribbed gourd

3 Vajri or

Holy Milk Hedge

4 Shwerark

White_variety

Snuhi

Prosopis cineraria
Euphorbia neriifolia
Linn

Luffa operculata
of

Madar plant
Calotropis_gigantea

5 GirikarNika

Butterfly pea

7 Patha

Patha creeper

9Katutumba

Bitter Pumpkin

Clitoria ternatea
False pareira brava

6 Vacha

Vacha

8 Nirgundi

Nirgundi

10 Nimb

Lemon

lagenaria

Calamus -root
Vitex negundo
Citrus limon

siceraria
11 Nagkeshar

Mesua Ferrea

12Gomutra
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Cows Urine

36

CASE STUDIES
A. Gadhi soils Stabilized white soil

The main constituents

are local soil, fine sand, cow

dung, quick lime, extracts of Bilvaphal , fibers of jute

and water for mixing.
The mixture is allowed to mature for a minimum period
of 30 days and kneaded ISC-2015
everyday.
Mumbai

37

B. Brick temple at Sirpur M.P.

(7th century A.D.)

This temple is among the best examples of brick

temples of ancient India.
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B. 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 herbs.
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C-Ajantha paintings
Ancient techniques mentioned in Shilparatna
were
successfully used for restoration of Ajantha paintings
Ref. Singh & Arbad, 2014

a - ingredients for the preparation of mud mortar, b preparation of adhesive extract, c - Preparation of
soil + lime + aggregates mixture, d - final step showing
the preparation of mud mortar)
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Consolidation of paintings
newly prepared mud mortar
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with
41

Experimental Studies
Research workers in different parts of world
conducted

experimental

studies

on

natural

polymers and found positive results as claimed

in

ancient

Indian

literature.

These

were

summarized . (Ref. Satishchandra 2003, ch.

12, page 537-567).

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42

Year
1983

Name
Chandra & Aavik

1985

Gangopaddhyay

1986

Jain

1988
1990

Ernesto et al
Singh et al

1990

Singh et al

1996
1997

Chandra et al
Chandra et al

Product
Cement
mortar
Low density
concrete
water
repellant
Mud plaster
Lime mortar

Purpose
plasticizers
Heat
insulation
water
proofing
Durability
Restoration

plasters and Restoration

mortars
Concrete
Durability
Mortar
& Workability
Concrete
,Strength

ISC-2015 Mumbai

Ingredients
Black
Gram+
linseed oil
CNSL, Cinder
CNSL
Cactus, Banana
Belgiri,
black
gram
Belgiri,
black
gram, Jaggery
Veg. oils
Cactus juice

43

Conclusions
It can be concluded that;
1. Ancient
Indian
engineers
had
adequate
knowledge of Indian botany and knew how to
implement
this
knowledge
for
strength,
durability and aesthetic purposes.

2. With the advent of modern materials, organic

materials were replaced by synthetic materials.
3. However the secret of endurance of Indian
heritage structures lies in building materials and
the construction techniques.
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Chronology of Ancient
References
B.C.
Rig Veda - 3000 BC
Shukla-Yajurveda-2500 BC

A.D.
Varahsamhita
Mayamat

5th Century

Sakaladhikar

Vishnudharmottara- 2000 BC Shilpratna

Abhilisharthchintama
Shatapath Bramhan-500 BC Ni
Aparajitprichha
Tantrasamuchhyaya
Vastuvidya

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12th Century
15th

Century

45

Modern References
Nene,A.S. (2009), Geotechnical engineering of ancient India,
Pub. Pune Vidyarthi Gruha, Pune.
Satish Chandra(2003),Ancient Building Materials in India, Tech
Books International, N.Delhi.

Vaze,K.V. (1924), Prachin Hindi Shilpasar (Essence of ancient

Indian Engineering Philosophy) ,a Marathi Book, Pub. ,Varada
Publications Pune.
Singh, M and, Arbad, B.R.(2014), Ancient Indian painting recipes
and mural art technique at Ajanta, International journal of
conservation science, volume 5, issue 1, January-march 2014:
35-50
Kadambini (1999),Ed. and Pub. by P.S.Oza,Jaipur,

This presentation is based on texts available

in, Ancient Indian Shilpashastra library,
established by Late Shri G.G.Joshi of
Nagpur.

Visit
Late G.G.Joshi Shilpa Sanshodhan Trust
Library, 53 Ramkrishna Nagar, Nagpur.
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47