Edited by Dr. A. S. Nene

nene_ashok@yahoo.com

Buildinging Materials & Construction

Techniques of Ancient India

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Eight ancient Indian tools of a

Sthapati (Engineer/ Architect)

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Mud, bricks, lime, stones, wood, metals and precious stones should be used in construction of houses - Mayamat

Ancient Building Materials

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

1. Soil /Mud Techniques (Vidya) related to Veshma Shashtra

Vaso vidya-Huts (made of barks/skin)

Kutti vidya-Mud houses

Arts related to Kutti vidya

Mrutsadhan - Soil conditioning

TruNadyachhadan - Roofing with grass

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Definitions

Soil –It is an aggregate of inorganic and

organic grains which can be separated

by simple mechanical action such as

agitation in water or by sieving.

Clays: Clays are finest particles of soil

with a size smaller than 75 microns.

Mud – It is a workable mixture of clay

soil and water. Ramtek -7 Aug

2014

MANIFESTATIONS OF MUD

Cob Adobe / Sun- dried blocks

Rammed earth Wattle and DaubRamtek -7 Aug

2014

Advantages of Adobe material

• Adobe has relatively high thermal conductivity

• Adobe has sound insulation property.

• Mud construction is really cost-effective,

• Mud construction is a labor intensive mode

Disadvantages

• Mud construction has low strength compared

to brick or stone construction.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

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.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Ancient plasticizers can be grouped as

Extracts of Herbs, Fruits and tree barksTrifala- Aamla, Hirda and Behada1

Wood apple2, Holy tree fruit3

Barks- Khadir4, Arjun trees

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Natural fibers

Cotton, coir, wool, silk cotton or jute

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Natural polymers

Cow Dung, Jaggaery, Coconut water, Eggs, Green Algae, rice husk, burnt coconut shell

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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 %

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

CASE STUDIES

A. Gadi 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.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

2. Mud flooring.

The floors of 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.

Padmanabhapurum palace (1601 A.D) in Kerala

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Laurie Baker & his work

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2-Bricks & Roof Tiles

Mohenjodaro –2500 BC

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Origin of Bricks

Sanskrit word for brick is "Istika"

meaning comfort giving or well being.

On being burnt, the mud blocks of fire

place (Yadnya kund) turned into a baked

brick. Sage Angirus was an authority on

brick making. Ref. Shatapatha Brahman

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Bricks and Tiles making

1. Selection of suitable site and collection of soil

2. Wetting & Kneading the brick earth, Mixing of additives.

3. Hand molding of bricks4. Sun dying of bricks5. Kiln Preparation and firing the bricks6. Cooling and quenching of bricks7. Rejecting damaged or non standard bricks8. Testing of bricks9. Classification & qualities

Ref -Shilparatna, (c14, v48-51)

Various stages involved

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Class I II III IV

Color White Red Yellow Black

Suitability

Best Good Average

Worst

Ref -Vishnudharmottar Purana ,Vastu Vidya , Mayamat

Brick earth suitability based on color

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

• Extracts of barks of milky trees

• Fine sand and ferrous soils

• Decoction of Trifala

Ref. Shilparatna and Mayamat

Additives for brick earth

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Moulds and Molding of bricks

As per Vastu Vidya Wooden moulds,

minimum thickness of 20 mm.

Measurements of moulds are specified

in Shulbsutra (Aapstamb)

Tamping of wet bricks after partial into

proper size & further drying. Some

special shaped bricks. Ref. Vastu Vidya

(c.19). Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Description of brick kilns

• Bricks or tiles were baked in closed Kilns. • The temperature of the Kiln was controlled; • Smoke-pipes were kept in the Kiln • Twigs of the trees like Pepal, Khadir Palash etc. • The bricks or tiles were allowed to bake for about ten to fifteen days.

Ref. -Shilparatna , Vastuvidya and Shilpadipak Ramtek -7 Aug

2014

Cooling and quenching of bricks

• The fire should be extinguished after 15

days

• Bricks should be immersed in water for six to

twelve

months before these are used Bauddhayan Shalbsutra- measurement of

bricks used in constructing Holy pyre. The

description of Hansmukhi (pentagonal) and

Choukoni(four sided) bricks.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Brick Classification Masculine

• Bricks with the same width at the front and the

back• Having parallel edges• Best for a for buildings .

Feminine -Bricks • Lesser width at the front than at the back• Curved but parallel edges• Building temples of Goddesses.

Neuter- bricks • Greater width at the front• Curved but non parallel edges • Discarded but used for other purposes.

Ref – Shilparatna , Kashyap-Shilpam(and Ishan Shivgurudev paddhati Ramtek -7 Aug

2014

Shapes& Sizes of Bricks

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Unsuitable bricks and the defects

• Non-specific dimensions• Non-uniformly baked• Different color inside and outside.• with broken corners,• containing pieces of stone pebbles and coal

Ref- Ishan Shivgurudev Paddhati, Hayashirsh, Panchratra, , Shatpath Brahman, and Baudhayan Shulbsutra.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Roof Tiles

Types and Sizes of roofing tiles

Neevraloshta , Urdhwaloshta, Turyakloshta

Kroorloshta , Dhwashraloshta, Keellloshta

Gartakonaloshta , Konaloshta , Putloshta

Ref.- Shilparatna, Vastuvidya and Vastu Vidya

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Name of Bond in the order of strength

Layers in which joints are exactly above First Layer

1.Toda or Patti Third

2.Mallaleel Fourth

3.Brahmraj Fifth

4.Panchparva Sixth

5.Poogparva Seventh

6.Devsandhi Ninths

6.Swana twelfth

7.Dandak Fourteenth

Brick bonds

Samarangana Stradhar (c10-v26.), Baudhayan Shulbsutra, Vasturatnakar

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1 - Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa CivilizationBrick Size - 10 x 20 x 40 cm

2 – Floating Bricks of Maharashtra during 10th to 17th centaury

Gora kumbhar (1267 to 1317 AD) – Floating Bricks at Tera doki (near Kurduwadi)

Sizes of bricks vary from 350x175x75 mm to 450x225x150mm. Properly fired Lighter by 2 to 10 times compared to modern bricks Contains micro pores partially

interconnected.

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Written instructions by Swami Ramadas’s to Shiwaji , about bricks and brick construction.

• Bricks should be of uniform size and with square corners

• Size should be 9x7x3 tasu.(1 tasu = 37.5 mm)

• Brickearth should be prepared by proper mixing of red

clayey soil, ash, dung of cow or horse.

• Soil mixed with water should be kneaded frequently

• The soil should be free from gravels

• Wooden moulds should be used for casting bricks. Sides

should be fixed by driving nails.

• Bricks should be sun dried and then fired in kilns. The fire

wood should be dry and of medium size.

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Bricks of Lothal -1500 BC

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Village Sirpur (Chhattisgarh) 5th century AD.

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Remains of Pravarapura, Mansar (MS)Ramtek -7 Aug

2014

Lakshmana Temple, Sirpur -Chattisgarh

Lakshmana temple built by Queen Vasata, in 7th century

AD is world heritage structure

Brick temple stands on a high massive platform

This temple is one among the best examples of brick

temples of ancient India.Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Clay cart of MohenjodaroRamtek -7 Aug

2014

3. Lime and Lime Mortars

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1. Excavation of lime stone from underground mines

2. Calcinatation (Burning lime stones)

3. Quenching (cooling) with water to obtain a slaked

lime

4. Sieving of the material to remove stones and

other impurities.

5. Lime mortar preparation by mixing with sand

6. Pulverization by Lime mill to obtain the mortar.

Ref. -Bhrugu samhita

Process of preparation of lime mortar

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Five types of sands for lime mortars

1. Karal (size similar to hirda seeds)2. Mugdi (size similar to green gram seeds)3. Gulmash (medium size sand)4. Kalk (size similar to Bengal gram flour)5. ChikkaN (Fine silt)

Ref.Mayamat chp.18Ramtek -7 Aug

2014

Briquettes of Surki (brick powder) and

lime are made and allowed to dry for 2 to 3

months.

These briquettes are fired and then finely

powdered to get cementing material called

Shyay.

Ancient Cement

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Classification of LimeGrade

First class Sets quickly even in water Second class Sets slowly in water Third class sets slowly in water Forth class which does not set

Genderlime Feminine lime powder Neutral

Age childhood First 8 days of preparation lime Old kept unused or unsuitable

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Lime Plasters

1. Wash and dry fine sand2. Sieve slaked lime to separate coarse materials.3. Cut cotton fibers into very fine pieces.4. Cook three food grains (Trijava) – Rice, Wheat and Barley (equal parts).5. Cook powdered banana.Mix all the above ingredients in the proportion given below

Fine sand 1 part

Slaked lime 1 partCooked grains half partCooked Banana powder

Half part

Cotton fibers Half part

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Lime Mortar

Grind ripe bananas, fibers of cotton

and pulp of cactus and mix in

slaked lime to make a good quality

lime mortar. Alternatively add

decoction of barks of trees( Pipal.

Amla,Kadamb) and paste of black

gram to the slaked lime.

Sudha - Molding Lime for sculpturing

Lime prepared by burning couches (Shankha) or

oysters (Shipi) is called Sudha. Fine sand,

decoction of moog, jiggery water and Banana

powder is added to lime.

The recommended proportions are, Lime - 4

parts, Fine sand- 2 parts, Banana powder – 1

part and jiggery -1 part. All ingredients are

mixed by rolling again and again.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Red lime: More popularly known as “Kankar

lime” is made from special type of clay. It is

unfertile soil(Saline/User) and is rich in iron. It

is also called kankar.

Red Lime

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Ingredient for Lime plasters1 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) 20 oil

5 Belgiri (aegle'pulp) 13 Guggul 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

Natural Polymers for Lime Mortar

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Case StudiesBrick Mortar

A Light House structure on the coast near Mul Dwarka

(Kodinar)

The possible date of this structure is 12th and the 15th

centuries AD.

As per SEM analysis lime mortar was used .

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Plaster and the techniques of wall preparation for paintings

• Very special material for the plaster used

on wall on which painting is to done.

• Vishnudharmottar Purana describes the

materials and technique for such

application.

• Plaster used on the wall of Ajanta caves,

Sirgiria caves and Bagh caves were created

using such techniques.

• In addition to plaster, the technique of

producing different color are elaborated.Ramtek -7 Aug

2014

Cave Paintings

Caves Constituents of plasterAjanta caves Clay, cow dung, stone

powder, rise husk and lime.Sirgirea caves

Tempered clay, kaolin, rice husk, Coconut shell fibers and lime.

Bagh caves Red clay, green gram, lime and jute.

Ref. Mansoullas which recommends use of powder of conch "shankh", katha, pulses, molasses, and boiled bananas.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

4a-Sunla

Curd, milk, black gram paste, gud,

ghee, ripe bananas, coconut and

mango pulp are added to slake lime.

Plaster made of these materials is

non-shrinking and waterproof.

Waterproof lime mortar

Mix Ghee, coconut water, black

gram paste , extract of

barks(Pipal), milk, curd,

decoction of Trifala, and Pichhit,

in proportion of 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

and 11 parts to 100 parts of

slaked lime.

Fresco wall painting at Boscoreale Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

4. Building Stones

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Uses of Stones

Making sculptures

Building blocks for construction.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Sources of building stones

From hills From underground mines Riverbanks and forests

The stones obtained from barren land,

graveyard or those embedded in ground

are unsuitable.

Stones obtained from sites unsuitable

for habitation are also unsuitable.

Ref. Kashyapashilpa

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Classification of stones

By Color

WhiteMilk, Jaya flower, Buffalo’s eye, Conch, Moon, Pearl Crystal et

RedIndragop (insect), Rabbit’s blood or Pomegranate Flower etc.

Yellow Flowers like, Mallika or Korandi

BlackKajal (eye ointment), Blue lotus, Wasp, Vest part of peacock, black gram etc Ref. Kashyapashilpa

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Stones of first or third category are unsuitable

By Age

Child Sound produced as un-burnt bricks, long or flat in shape as a leaf

Young Long ringing sound like bell, soft in touch, with good smell, without pores

Old Non-ringing sound, highly porous, highly weathered

Ref. MayamatRamtek -7 Aug 2014

By Gender

Male Big, rounded, which produces sparks when hit with chisel- Suitable for columns

Female Medium size, soft in touch, broad at base –Suitable for beams

Neutral Small, broad at top, not sounding- Suitable as aggregates

Ref. Vishnudharmottar Purana Ramtek -7 Aug

2014

Defects in building stones

Lines • curvilinear (as thread),

• straight (as sun rays)

• parallel (as rains)

Spots size. lemon fruit (15-20 mm),

grape size (5-10 mm),

less than 5 mm.

Ref. Mayamat

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Detection Of Defects In Rocks

Microscopic defects in stones , which were

invisible to eyes, were detected by applying

some herbal paints so that the defects were

clearly visible.

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Selection of Building Stones

• The stones which are weathered, contains sand grains or disintegrates on immersion in water are termed unsuitable (Kashyapashilpa ,Shilpratna )

• Stones from unsuitable site, used stones, stones with inferior minerals are termed unsuitable (Mayamat , Vishnupuran)

• Stone with one side very long compared to other sides should not be used. (Shilpratna )

• Brittle or porous stones, non-uniform colored stones are unsuitable (Shilpratna, Vishnupuran)

• Stones with cavities inside or poisonous stones should not be used. The ancient texts describe methods to check such defects. (Mayamat , Shilpratna )

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Stone softening

The Incas employed certain methods to make

their stones fit perfectly. They knew a plant whose

juices rendered the surface of a block so soft that

the intricate fittings were accomplished.

Stone with 14 angles

Stone wall at Cuzco (Peru)

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Breaking of stone blocksHeating: The stone block is heated by make a

pyre of wooden logs of Palash or Tinduk trees.

The heating is continued till the color of wooden

logs becomes bright red or orange. Cooling: The fire is moved to adjacent area of

rock surface. The preheated surface is cooled

down

quickly by pouring certain types of liquids listed

below.• Solution of quick lime in cold water• Solution prepared by mixing buttermilk with rice paste, ripe

berries. • Solution prepared by boiling Neem leaves and some tree

barks.

Ref. Brihat Samhita Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Tempering or hardening of tools

1. heating the tool in fire until it becomes red hot. 2. application of paste of certain materials and / or dipping the red-hot tool in a specific solution. 3. sharpening the tools.

The Paste / solution used in step 2

Paste made of • excreta of pigeon and rat, • powder of horns of a buffalo • milk extract of a plant (Mandar) Solution of buttermilk and ash of banana plant

Ref. Brihat Samhita

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Suranga –A water tunnelSuranga is a tunnels bored horizontally on the slopes of hills to get clean drinking quality water. Found in many parts of Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka and Kasaragod district of Kerala ‘Quanat’ is a similar structure used in Iran and Iraq

QuanatSuranga

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Ashtabandha and Vajralepa

Special Mortars for Brick or Stone masonry

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Adamantine glues

A bonding agent mortar or glue was very essential

for fixing idols, in wall construction, when cement

and other modern materials were unknown.

Even now these glues, known as Astabandha, are

prepared in temple premises for fixing or re-fixing

images of gods.

Five prescriptions for such glues are described in

Shilpashastras

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Ancient Indian texts such as Brhatsamhita of

Varaha-Mihira and Mayamatam of Sage Maya (5-6th

century AD) describes the materials and methods

of cementing material in chapter Vajralepa.

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The ingredients are

1. Unripe fruits of Tinduka and Kapittaka,

2. Flowers of silk cotton

3. Seeds of Sallaki

4. barks of Dhanavana and Vacha

All these ingredients are boiled in 256 parts of

water till the decoction reduces to One-eighth of

its original volume (i.e.32 Parts). The sediments

are mixed with substances, such as.

First Variety

Explained in Brihatsamhita

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Shrivasak

a

Raktabola

(myrrh)

Guggulu Bhallataka

Kunduruk

a or tree

resin

Atasi Bilva) fruit

The resulting paste is termed as adamantine glue. It

was expected to last for a million years.

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Second Variety –As per Mayamat

Lac Kunduru soot (lamp black)

Guggulu

wood-apple Manjiostha resin

Bilva kernel

fruits of Naga, neem,Tinduka , Madana , Madhuka,

myrrh and Ambalaka

The method of preparation is same as mentioned above.

Ingredients are

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Third Variety As per Brihatsamhita

This variety of glue known as Vajratala or VajralepaIngredients are

• horns of cows, buffalo and goats, • hairs of donkey, • buffalo hide, cow hide, • Neem fruits,wood-apples and myrrh.

This mixture too should be boiled in water and reduced to one-eight. In this glue some organic substances are also included

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Forth Variety by Maya

A compound of eight parts lead, two of Bell

metal, and one of iron rust, and is known as

Vajrasanghata ( Adamantine compound)

It may include other materials mentioned in

the previous versions as well ,

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Fifth Variety popular in Kerala

Preparing the mixture is a 41-day long

procedure and the eight ingredients are

# From the Bharatapuzha  a river in Kerala, India  

1.Finely powdered conch

2. gall-nut

3. sealing wax

4. resin of pinus dammar’

5. Cotton

6. Fruits of gooseberry

7. Small sized gravels #

8. Medium sized gravels #

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Mixture is hammered by four or five men alternatively.

During this process one turns it with an iron spatula.

only wooden hammers made of tamarind wood are used.

The weight of the hammer would be 8 to 10 kilos.

The lump is very soft and malleable.

It becomes hot during the hammering and becomes hard

like stone when the hammering is stopped.

An estimated 0.1 million hits of hammering are needed for

a kilogram of adhesive.

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Musical Pillars at Hampi, Vijaynagar AP

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

A civil engineer has to use different building materials including

wood.

The quality and durability of the structure depends upon

the wood used.

The life of the structure is also affected by trees grown in

its vicinity.

Hence a civil engineer should have some basic

knowledge about botany.

5. Timber for Construction

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Environment means neighborhood of

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Indian Botanical Classification

Western Botanists divide trees into two classes viz.;

1) Endogenous or growing from inside and

2) Exogenous or growing from outside.

Ancient Indian Botanists divide trees into four classes viz.;

1. Nissar – Trees having no hard core

2. Antassar- Trees having hard core inside

3. Bahhissar – Trees having hard core outside

4. Sarvassar- Trees having core throughout their cross-section

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1.Nissar trees are Pipal, Banyan and Holy fig.

However thick these trees grow they form no core.

Their flowers are closed. Fruits are bunch of flowers

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2.Bahhissar trees, Endogenous trees, as per

western Botanist, are Bamboo, Coconut or

Bettle nut and others of this class.

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3. Antassar trees or Exogenous trees, as per

western Botanist, are Mango, Jackfruit, Neem

tree and other trees.

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4. Sarvassar trees are hard throughout the

cross-section. Tamarind, Babul, Shirish tree

and marking tree are the examples of this

class.

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Unsuitable trees

Pipal , Banyan , Holy fig, KadambaSaptaparn ,Tamarind Bilva Palash,Pilu ,Kutaj, Shlemantak, Lodhra ,Parijat, Kovider, Shirish, Plaksha,

Mahadroom

Nissar trees and Sarvassar trees are unsuitable construction

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Forbidden Trees

• Milky Trees: (with poisonous juices): milk bush

• Thorny Trees: Babul or Prickly pear

• Trees having hard through out: Tamarind or

Bunyan tree.

• Bushes: Which give shelter to small animals and

consequently serpents frequent them.

• Fruit bearing Trees: Mango, Guava etc. People are

tempted to throw stones.

• Other Trees (Trees without hard core)

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Tree Recommended near Habitat

High trees or fruit bearing trees may be

allowed, provided they cast no shadow at

noon or overtop the building. The distance of

tree from house should be twice the height

of tree.

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Trees permitted to grow near Habitat

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Confinement of trees (Vratabandha)

Some holy trees may be allowed to grow near buildings, but they should be confined to a certain area within a circular wall. Trees transgressing this boundary by breaking through it, should be pruned to avoid damage to the building.

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Classification of Trees

According to Gender

Gender: This subdivisions is based on the

direction of growth of the tree.

• Male trees : Trees strong vertically or in compression

• Female trees: Trees strong laterally or in tension

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Hard wood Trees

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According to Age

Classification of Trees

Age: This subdivisions is based on the five life spans

the tree: Child, Young, Adult, Aged and Dead

The trees in the middle three spans of life are to be used

for constructional purposes. The trees in the extreme two

spans (childhood and decay) of life should not be used. Ramtek -7 Aug

2014

To ascertain the stage of life of a tree, a bore through the stem, at two feet above ground is made. The age of the tree is indicated by 1) color of the core,2) hardness and 3) juice oozing from the bore.

If a tree is already cut, instead of juice, the sound produced by tamping with a heavy rod, will indicate the stage of age.

Formation test

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Directional suitability of Trees

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Selection of a Tree for Timber

• in the compound of religious place,

• struck by lightening ,

• scorched by fire,

• grown in covered area, in unhygienic conditions or

• grown along the roadside,

• broken by wind or animals or vehicles impact,

• entangled by other trees or wound by creepers,

• grown in anthills or supporting honey beehive,

• grown on cremation ground or which harbors vultures or

owls.

Do not Select a Tree, which is

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Knots in Wood

The wood should not be full of or devoid of knots.

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For seasoning of wood, it should be placed on sand

with bottom portion facing wind blowing from west or

south direction.

Seasoning of wood

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Before felling the tree, the branches of tree should be cut first to avoid unusual strains.

Felling the tree

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Preservation of Wood

The wood should be painted to avoid the

losses of oily substance. An oil coat should be

applied every year after rainy season.

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Frames and door shutters

Wood for frames and door shutters should be of same

type so that the action of weather may be same on

both. Unequal action produces unequal strains and it

is detrimental to architecture.

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Tree Extracts

For seats of balloons extracts of few trees

are specified in Agastsamhita.

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The juice of coreless trees contains water retarding

substances (lac) and hence the juice was used in

preparing silk cloth gas holders in ancient India.

Water retarding substances

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Woodwork Joints

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Rathakar - Maker of chariots

Badai - Carpenter Vidalkari - Women

bamboo workerNames of wood workers - Shatapatha Brahman (3.6-12)

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6.Colors and Paints

To enhance the aesthetics of any structure.

To improve the durability .

• Vishnudharmottara Purana

• Chitrasutra

• Abhilisharthachintamani

• Manosollas

Related ancient Indian texts

The main purpose of colors and paints

Basic ColorsWhite, yellow, red, black and blue are five basic (pure) colors. All other composite colors are made from these colors.

White color - White color is prepared from lime

made of shells or mother of pearls or from white

clay (pottery clay-Kaolin). White color is prepared

by mixing resins of Neem or wood apple tree with

white soil or lime. The mixture is pulverized and

dissolved in hot water.

Yellow color - Yellow color is prepared from pounding yellow wood trees (Haridra) and yellow soil (from hills or river banks) together. The mixture is poured in clear water for two hours. The top yellow solution is stored in earth pot till it dries. The dry powder is used for preparing yellow color.

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Red color - Red color is prepared from Sindur (Vermilion),

Gaierik (Red ochre), Hingul (Cinnabar) or Laksharus (Shellac) to get

light, medium, dark and very dark shades respectively. Red ochre is

finely pulverized and sieved through a muslin cloth. The powder is

cleaned by mixing with water. Vermillion is mixed in water and

stirred for 12 hours. Manashil is dry pulverized by pounding in

mortar with pestle. All these colors are mixed with resin of Neem.

Black color -Oil lamp is ignited in a mud pot. Inner surface of another mud pot is smeared with powder of dry cow dung. This pot is place on the first pot such that lamp black is coated inside the top pot. The lamp black is cleaned with water before application.

Blue color - Blue color is prepared by drying a mixture of blue minerals or indigo and resin of wood apple.

Golden color - Golden color is prepared from gold foil pulverized with fine sand. The mixture is poured in water and top suspension is separated and mixed with adamantine glue. The painted surface is polished with horn (of an ox or swine).

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Hide Glue

A hide glue. Hide glue (Sirus or Shirus) is prepared from

fresh skin of a buffalo cooked in water till it becomes soft

as butter. Water is allowed to evaporate. The material is cut

into small pieces are dried in sunlight. When needed the

dried piece is boiled in water. This is a substitute for resins of

tree. This glue is called Vajralep .

Brushes

Brushes (Kunchali) used for painting are of

three types, broad, medium and fine. These

three types of brushes are made from hairs of

ears of calf, stomach part of sheep or tail

of squirrel respectively. A set of three

brushes are required for each color. Ref. -

Abhilashitartha Chitamani

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Composite colors were made by mixing two or more basic (pure) colors.

Composite Colors

Table – Composite colorsBasic colors to be mixed Resulting composite

colorWhite + Red Gour light PinkWhite + Black +Yellow Shar colorWhite + Black Elephant skin colorRed+ Yellow Bakul flower color2 parts Red+1 part Yellow

flame color

Dark Red+Yellow Fire color2 parts Yellow +1 part white

gray color

2 parts Yellow +1 part black

aqua color

White +Yellow skin colorYellow +Blue parrot green colorShellac+Hingul Dark RedShellac+black Purple colorBlue+black Hair color

Paintings at Ajanta & Ellora Cave

This presentation is only a tip of huge iceberg i.e. Ancient Indian Shilpashastra.

The main purpose to acquaint the engineers and students about the glorious heritage of ancient India.

Many of the ancient techniques may have become irrelevant with the advent of modern materials and construction equipments. But one must admire the wisdom of ancient engineers of India.

The ancient Indian texts are not religious books compiled for people of a particular religion or caste. These are encyclopedias of all subjects.

If this presentation could inspire few research workers to look into other hidden aspects related to their profession, the purpose of this presentation will be more than fulfilled.

India’s Contribution to World

Mantra – Futuristic Invention

Ideas

Tantra –Technology

Yantra –Machines & Mechanisms

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AcknowledgementThis presentation is based on published and unpublished works of Late K.V.Vaze and G.G.Joshi

Late K.V. Vaze1869-1929

Late G.G. Joshi1912-1992

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Review the Past with modern perspective - Kautilya