construction techniques of ancient india

8/12/2019 Construction techniques of Ancient India

1/118

Edited by

Dr. A. S. Nene

[email protected]

Buildinging Materials & Construction

Techniques of Ancient India

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


2/118

Eight ancient Indian tools of a

Sthapati (Engineer/ Architect)

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


3/118

Mud, bricks, lime, stones, wood, metals andprecious stones should be used inconstruction of houses - Mayamat

Ancient Building Materials

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


4/118

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


5/118

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


6/118

MANIFESTATIONS OF MUD

Cob Adobe / Sun- dried blocks

Rammed earth Wattle and DaubRamtek -7 Aug 2014


7/118

Advantages of Adobe material

Adobe has relatively high thermal conductivityAdobe 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


8/118

SOIL STABILIZATION

Functions of soil plasticizers

Increase the workability with minimum water

content

Increase the water repellent property

Increase the strength by increasing thedensity.

Impart glazing to pottery products.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


9/118

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

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


10/118

Natural fibers

Cotton, coir, wool, silk cotton or jute

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


11/118

Natural polymers

Cow Dung, Jaggaery, Coconut water, Eggs,

Green Algae, rice husk, burnt coconut shell

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


12/118

Idols - Mud plaster

This constancy is determined by rollingthe clay mass on the palms. When the linesof palm are clearly impressed on the claymass the constancy is proper.

Liquidity index for this consistency (Palm line limit)corresponds to 15 to 20 %

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


13/118

CASE STUDIES

A. Gadi soilswhite 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 tomature for a minimum

period of 30 days and

kneaded everyday.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


14/118

2. Mud f loor ing.

The floors of were made

of a material that is unique

blend of burnt coconutshells, 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


15/118

Laurie Baker & his work

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


16/118

2-Bricks & Roof Tiles

Mohenjodaro 2500 BC

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


17/118

Origin of Bricks

Sanskrit word for brick is "Istika" meaning

comfort giving or well being. On being

burnt, the mud blocks of fire place (Yadnyakund) turned into a baked brick. Sage

Angirus was an authority on brick making.

Ref. Shatapatha Brahman

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


18/118

Bricks and Tiles making

1. Selection of suitable site and collection of soil2. Wetting & Kneading the brick earth, Mixing of

additives.3. Hand molding of bricks

4. Sun dying of bricks5. Kiln Preparation and firing the bricks6. Cooling and quenching of bricks7. Rejecting damaged or non standard bricks

8. Testing of bricks9. Classification & qualitiesRef -Shilparatna, (c14, v48-51)

Various stages invo lved

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


19/118


20/118


21/118


22/118


23/118

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 ofHansmukhi (pentagonal) and Choukoni(four sided)

bricks.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


24/118

Brick Classification

Masculine Bricks with the same width at the front and theback

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.

RefShilparatna , Kashyap-Shilpam(and Ishan Shivgurudev paddhati

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


25/118

Shapes& Sizes of Bricks

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


26/118


27/118

Roof Tiles

Types and Sizes of roofing tiles

Neevraloshta , Urdhwaloshta, Turyakloshta

Kroorloshta , Dhwashraloshta, Keellloshta

Gartakonaloshta , Konaloshta , Putloshta

Ref.- Shilparatna, Vastuvidya and Vastu Vidya

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


28/118

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 Fifth4.Panchparva Sixth

5.Poogparva Seventh

6.Devsandhi Ninths

6.Swana twelfth

7.Dandak Fourteenth

Brick bonds

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

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


29/118

1 - Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa Civilization

Brick Size - 10 x 20 x 40 cm

2

Floating Bricks of Maharashtra during 10th to 17thcentaury

Gora kumbhar (1267 to 1317 AD) Floating Bricks atTera doki (near Kurduwadi)

Sizes of bricks vary from 350x175x75 mm to450x225x150mm.

Properly fired

Lighter by 2 to 10 times compared to modernbricks

Contains micro pores partially interconnected.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


30/118

Written instructions by Swami Ramadass 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.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


31/118


32/118

Village Sirpur (Chhattisgarh) 5th century AD.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


33/118


34/118

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


35/118

Clay cart of MohenjodaroRamtek -7 Aug 2014


36/118

3. Lime and Lime Mortars

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


37/118


38/118

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


39/118


40/118


41/118

Lime Plasters

1. Wash and dry fine sand

2. 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 part

Cooked grains half partCooked Banana powder Half part

Cotton fibers Half part

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


42/118


43/118


44/118


45/118

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


46/118

Case Studies

Brick 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


47/118


48/118


49/118


50/118

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.


51/118


52/118

4. Building Stones

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


53/118

Sources of building stones


54/118

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. Kashyapash i lpa

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


55/118


56/118

Stones of first or third category are unsuitable

By Age

Child Sound produced as un-burnt

bricks, long or flat in shape asa leaf

Young Longringing sound like bell,

soft in touch, with good smell,

without pores

Old Non-ringing sound, highly

porous, highly weathered

Ref. MayamatRamtek -7 Aug 2014


57/118


58/118

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


59/118


60/118

Selection of Building Stones

The stones which are weathered, contains sand grains ordisintegrates on immersion in water are termed unsuitable(Kashyapashilpa ,Shilpratna )Stones from unsuitable site, used stones, stones withinferior minerals are termed unsuitable (Mayamat ,

Vishnupuran)Stone with one side very long compared to other sidesshould not be used. (Shilpratna )Brittle or porous stones, non-uniform colored stones areunsuitable (Shilpratna, Vishnupuran)Stones with cavities inside or poisonous stones should notbe used. The ancient texts describe methods to check suchdefects. (Mayamat , Shilpratna )

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


61/118

Breaking of stone blocks


62/118

gHeating: 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 woodenlogs 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, ripeberries.

Solution prepared by boiling Neem leaves and some tree

barks.

Ref. Brihat SamhitaRamtek -7 Aug 2014


63/118

SurangaA water tunnel


64/118

g

Suranga 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 districtof

KeralaQuanatis a similar structure used in Iran

and Iraq

Quanat

Suranga

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


65/118

Ashtabandha and Vajralepa

Special Mortars for Brick or Stone masonry

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


66/118


67/118


68/118


69/118

Shrivasaka Raktabola(myrrh)

Guggulu Bhallataka

Kunduruka

or tree resin

Atasi Bilva) fruit

The resulting paste is termed as adamantine glue. It

was expected to last for a million years.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


70/118

Second VarietyAs 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

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


71/118

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 organicsubstances are also included

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


72/118


73/118


74/118


75/118

Musical Pillars at Hampi, Vijaynagar AP

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

5 Timber for Construction


76/118

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

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


77/118

Environment means neighborhood of

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Indian Botanical Classification


78/118

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. NissarTrees having no hard core

2. Antassar-Trees having hard core inside

3. BahhissarTrees having hard core outside

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

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


79/118

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

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


80/118


81/118

3. Antassar trees or Exogenous trees, as per

western Botanist, are Mango, Jackfruit, Neem

tree and other trees.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


82/118


83/118

Unsuitable trees

Pipal , Banyan , Holy fig, Kadamba

Saptaparn ,Tamarind Bilva Palash,

Pilu ,Kutaj, Shlemantak, Lodhra ,Parijat, Kovider, Shirish, Plaksha,

Mahadroom

Nissar trees and Sarvassar trees are

unsuitable construction

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


84/118


85/118

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


86/118

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.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

T itt d t H bit t


87/118

Trees permitted to grow near Habitat

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


88/118

Classification of Trees


89/118

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

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


90/118

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Hard wood Trees


91/118

Hard wood Trees

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014



92/118

According to Age


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

Formation test


93/118

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 by1) 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.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Directional suitability of Trees


94/118

Directional suitability of Trees

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


95/118

K t i W d


96/118

Knots in Wood

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

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Seasoning of wood


97/118

For seasoning of wood, it should be placed on sandwith bottom portion facing wind blowing from west or

south direction.

Seasoning of wood

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


98/118

Before felling the tree, the branches of tree

should be cut first to avoid unusual strains.

Felling the tree

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Preservation of Wood


99/118

Preservation of Wood

The wood should be painted to avoid thelosses of oily substance. An oil coat should

be applied every year after rainy season.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Frames and door shutters


100/118

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.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


101/118


102/118

Woodwork Joints


103/118

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


104/118

Rathakar - Maker of chariots

Badai - Carpenter Vidalkari - Women bamboo

worker

Names of wood workers - Shatapatha Brahman (3.6-12)

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

6.Colors and Paints


105/118

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 Colors


106/118

White, yellow, red, black and blue are fivebasic (pure) colors. All other compositecolors are made from these colors.

White color - White color is prepared from lime


107/118

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.


108/118

Yellow color - Yellow color is prepared frompounding yellow wood trees (Haridra) and yellow

soil (from hills or river banks) together. Themixture is poured in clear water for two hours.The top yellow solution is stored in earth pot tillit dries. The dry powder is used for preparing

yellow color.

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

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

(R d h ) Hi l (Ci b ) L k h (Sh ll ) li h


109/118

(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.


110/118

Black color -Oil lamp is ignited in a mud pot. Inner

surface of another mud pot is smeared with powder of drycow dung. This pot is place on the first pot such that lampblack is coated inside the top pot. The lamp black is cleanedwith water before application.

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

Golden color - Golden color is prepared from gold foilpulverized with fine sand. The mixture is poured in water andtop suspension is separated and mixed with adamantine glue.

The painted surface is polished with horn (of an ox or swine).

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


111/118


112/118

Composite Colors


113/118

Composite colors were made by mixing two

or more basic (pure) colors.Table Composite colors

Basic colors to be mixed Resulting composite color

White + Red Gour light Pink

White + Black +Yellow Shar color

White + Black Elephant skin colorRed+ Yellow Bakul flower color

2 parts Red+1 part Yellow flame color

Dark Red+Yellow Fire color

2 parts Yellow +1 part white gray color

2 parts Yellow +1 part black aqua color

White +Yellow skin colorYellow +Blue parrot green color

Shellac+Hingul Dark Red

Shellac+black Purple color

Blue+black Hair color


114/118

Paintings at Ajanta & Ellora Cave


115/118

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

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

Many of the ancient techniques may have become irrelevant with the

advent of modern materials and construction equipments. But onemust admire the wisdom of ancient engineers of India.

The ancient Indian texts are not religious books compiled for peopleof a particular religion or caste. These are encyclopedias of allsubjects.

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

Indias Contribution to World


116/118

India s Contributionto World

Mantra Futuristic Invention

Ideas Tantra Technology

Yantra Machines & Mechanisms

Ramtek -7 Aug 2014

Acknowledgement

This presentation is based on published and


117/118

This presentation is based on published and

unpublished works of Late K.V.Vaze and G.G.Joshi

Late K.V. Vaze

1869-1929

Late G.G. Joshi

1912-1992Ramtek -7 Aug 2014


118/118

Review the Past with modern perspective- Kautilya

construction techniques of ancient india

Documents