Articles on "Science & Technology of ancient India" athored by late G.G.Joshi , Edited and translated by Dr.A.S.Nene

1. Engineering Philosophy of Ancient India
A compendium of articles by Late G. G. Joshi
Translated & edited by
Dr. A.S. Nene

2. Prologue
Part A-Introduction
A01-Life sketch of G.G. Joshi
A02-Planned but unpublished book of G.G. Joshi
Part B- Mile stones
B01-Shilpakalanidhi-Raoshaheb K.V.Vaze
B02-Shilpashatra Terminology of K.V. Vaze
B03- Dr. Acharya and his contribution

3. Part C- Ten branches of Engineering
C01-Krushishastra- Biological Sciences
C02-Jalashastra-Water resource Engineering
C03-Khanishastra-Mining and Metallurgy
C04-Water & Surface Transportation Engineering
C05-Ratha Shasta- Surface Transportation Engineering
C06-Vimanshastra-Air / Space Transportation Engineering
C07-Vastushashtra-Habitations
C08-Prakarshastra- Ancient Warfare
C09-Nagar Rachana- Town planning
C10-Yantrashastra-Machine & Mechanisms

4. Part D- Library Sources
D01-Tanjore from Shilpashastra point of view
D02-Adyar Library Chennai
D03-Sources for procuring Shilpashastra Books
D04- List of Sanskrit books
D05-Modern References
D06-Index of Narada Shilpashastra
D07-Exhibition of Shilpashastra literature

5. Part E- General Articles
E01-Narada- A divine Engineer
E02-Scientific Attitude of ancient India
E03-Extent of Indian Shilpashastra as per Bhrugu Samhita
E04-Vishvakarma Sect and its followers
E05-Shilpashastra Preachers of ancient India
Part F- Annexure
F01- Skills of Shilpashastra
F02- Followers of G.G. Joshi
F03- Libraries and Book Sellers
F04- Sample handwriting

6. Prologue
•Shilpashastra - The engineering Philosophy related to a
particular subject comprising different techniques skills or
arts.
•Shilpasamhita –A compilation of rules and procedure related to
a particular science.
•Vidya –A techniques related to creation or execution of a
Shilpa.
•Kala - An art or skill acquired by practice and experience.
Even a blind of deaf person can master any particular skill.

8. Chronology of References
Text (B.C.) Text (A.D.)
Vedas- 15000 to 10000 B.C.
Puranas - 10000 to 5000 B.C.
Brihat-Samhita- 5000 B.C.
Mahabharata- 3000 B.C.
Shatapathbramhana- 1500 B.C.
Krushiparashar- 1300 B.C.
Shilpashashtra-800 to 200 B.C.
Arthshashtra-300 B.C.
Amarkosha-300 B.C.
Hayashirshapancharatra 4th Century
Samarangana Sutradhara11th Century
Aparajitprichha – 12th Century
Manasollas- 1131 A.D.
Shusruta- 12th Century
Ratnasamuchchya- 13th Century
Manasara- 13th Century
Tantrasamuccaya-1428 A.D.
Shilpadipak-15h Century
Rajvallabha- 1433- 1468 A.D.

9. •1833- A thesis entitled as “Essay on architecture of the Hindus” by
Ramaraja, was submitted to Royal Asiatic Society of London.
•1876 - Rev. J.E. Kornas translated a Sanskrit text “Mayamat
Shilpashastra”.
•1920- Madras manuscript library was established.
•1900- A.V.Tyagraj Ayyar compiled a book entitled “Indian
architecture or the Shilpashastra of India”
•1927- Dr Prasanna kumar Acharya compiled 3000 pages encyclopedia
named as “Manasara -an encyclopedia of Hindu architecture. Six more
books were added by him to the Manasara series.
Shilpashastra Journey

10. •1930-1950-Many ancient texts were edited and published. T.Ganapati
Sthapati, Dr. Dixitar, Dr.Raghawan, Dr.Madayya, Raosaheb K.V.Vaze and Shri
G.G.Joshi are few prominent names. Of editors.
•1950-2000- Publishing houses such as Chaukhaba Series, Motilal
Banarasidas,Tanjore Saraswati Mahal library, Jagannath Jaguste etc
published low cost books in regional languages.
•2000 onwards- Government of India formed Digital libraries in different
parts of the country. Rest of the world is again attracted towards this
subject.
Shilpashastra Journey

11. A01-Life sketch of G.G. Joshi
Shri Gopal Gajanan Joshi- A Researcher, Guide
and Curator of vast literature on Shilpashastra
1911 - 1992

12. •Diploma of Civil engineering from Government Polytechnic Nagpur in 1933
•Joined Public Works Department .
•Came into contact of Shri K. V. Vaze of Nasik.
•Decided to follow Shri Vaze and to finish his incomplete work of
procurement of complete literature on Shilpashastra,
•After 50 years of untiring efforts he collected more than 5000 references
. Wrote many technical articles on Shilpashastra and these were published
mostly in a weekly journal “Shilpasansar” , during 1955-1957.
•He arranged seven exhibitions of his rare collection at 5 cities.
• His few followers formed a private trust named as “G.G. Joshi memorial
Shilpa Sanshodhan trust”.

13. Late G.G. Joshi wanted to acquaint young students
about “Ancient Indian Engineering”. In 1964 he
planned to write a comprehensive Hindi book on
this subject. Due to some reasons he could not
complete the work.
He gave a copy of introductory remarks and
contents of his proposed book to the editor of
this compendium.
A02-The planned but unpublished book by late Joshi

14. B01-Life and Work of Shilpakalanidhi Vaze
16/12/ 1869 – 31/2/1929
•Obtained L.C.E. degree in 1891
•Published 7 Marathi books on Religion
•Published many articles in various daily newspapers,
magazines and gave lectures.

15. Vaze’s contribution to Bharatiya Shilpashastra
1. Shilpa ShkshyaNache Mahatva (Marathi).
2. PrachinHindi Shilpashastrasar .
3. Kashyapashilpam (Sanskrit).
4. Prachin Hindi Shilpashatra-Part-1.
5. Aryashilpa Yantrashastra.
6. Aryashilpa Vastushastra.
7. Aryashilpa Chitravidya .
8. Aryashilpa Dhanuvidya-(Marathi).
9. Prachin Hindi Yuddhavidya(Marathi).
10. Prachin Hindi Shilpashastra Part 4.

16. B03-Shilpashatra Terminology of K.V. Vaze
Vaze gave English meaning of more than 200
Sanskrit technical words frequently used in
Shilpashastra texts .

17. B04-Work of Dr.Prasanna Kumar Acharya
Dr. P.K. Acharya devoted over forty years of his life
to compile a detailed and critical study of ancient
Indian engineering works and literature.
He wrote seven volumes to explain and expound
“Manasara Vastushatra” by means of a literal English
translation, diagrams, plans, colored plates, glossary
and historical evidence spread over different
continents. Considered as the most important
reference on India Architecture.

18. Part C- Ten branches of Engineering
C01-Krushishastra- Biological Sciences
C02-Jalashastra-Water resource Engineering
C03-Khanishastra-Mining and Metallurgy
C04-Naukashastra-Water Transportation Engineering
C05-Ratha Shasta- Surface Transportation Engineering
C06-Vimanshastra-Air / Space Transportation Engineering
C07-Vastushashtra-Habitations
C08-Prakarshastra- Ancient Warfare
C09-Nagar Rachana- Town planning
C10-Yantrashastra-Machine & Mechanisms
Articles by Joshi on following branches

19. D01-Tanjore from Shilpashatra point of view
•The world famous Saraswati Mahal library was established by King
Serfoji in 1856.
•The Library was started as a Royal Palace Library (1535-1673 A. D.)
•In 1983, the Library was declared as an Institution of National
Importance.
•Out of 46,695 manuscripts 39,300 manuscripts belong to Sanskrit
language.
Tanjore Sarasvati Mahal Library

20. D02- Adyar Library Chennai Tamilnadu
The first British officer, who took keen interest in setting up
manuscript libraries, was Col. Mackenzie who was an engineer.
Language Handwritten Printed
English - 2700
Sanskrit 34044 3067
Tamil 5790 1309
Telgu 4683 788
Kannad 2503 333
Malyalam 324 102
Urdu 835 60
Marathi etc 1000 1000

21. D03-Sanskrit Literature on Architecture and Allied
Subjects
•Contribution to a bibliography of Indian Arts and
Architecture by Haridas Mitra.
•Dictionary of Hindu Architecture by P.K.Acharya.
•Study in Vastu-Vidya by Tarapada Bhattacharya.
•Hindi Shilpashastra (Marathi) Part 1 by K.V.Vaze
Joshi compiled a list of 805 references from following
main sources .

22. •D04-Sources for procuring Shilpashastra Books
1.Trivendram Sanskrit Series,
2.Oriental research institute Mysore,
3.Madras Govt. oriental series, Triplicane,Chennai.
4.Calcutta Oriental Book series, Panchanan Ghosh lane, Kolkata
5.V.Ramaswami Shastralu & Sons,Vavilla press, Chennai
6.Nagari PrachariNiSabha Banaras (Dev Prize Series) Banares
7.G.A.Natesan & Co, Explenede Chennai
8.Bhargava Pustakalaya, Gayaghat Banares
9.NirNayasagar Press, 26-27 Kolbhat street, Mumbai 2
10.Choukhamba Sanskrit Series, Banaras, 37
11.Gaikwad Oriental Series, Vadodara,
12.Sayaji Sahityamala Vadodara
13.Mahadev Ramachandra Jaguste,Bookseller,Ahamadabad

23. D05-Modern References
•Urdu Books-21
•English Books-100
•English Journals-10
•Bengali Books-16
•Marathi Books -15
83 Sanskrit titles of chapters in the text related
to engineering.
D06-Narad shilpshastra

24. E01-Narad- The Shilpashastra Preacher
•Narada is one of these eighteen divine engineers.
•Narada has compiled a book on Music (Sangitshastra) and a
book NaradaSamhita on Shilpashastra.
•Narada Shilpashastra is a rare Sanskrit text on
Shilpashastra.
•Narada Samhita (1937) – a text on Astrology,
•NaradPuraN
•NaradNiti – A book on policy
•31 books are contributed by Narada.

25. •E02-Science Worship in Ancient India
1-Gaint Hindu Tank near Kodaturu.TN
2-River Bhagirathi or a Man made Canal
3-Strategic importance of Ganga Canal
4-Town Planning of Kanjivaram-Unique in the world
5-Wizards of paintings-Cave Paintings of Ajanta
Joshi describes following aspect s of India’s Contribution

26. E03 –Extent of Indian Shilpashastra as per
Bhrugusamhita
•Three volumes of Shilpashastra
•Ten sub parts –Shastras (Sciences)
•32 Techniques-Vidyas
•64 Arts-Kalas
Joshi explains the extent of Shilpashastra

27. E04- Vishwakarma Sect and its followers
•Mythological and traditional information about Vishvakarma
•Descendents of Vishvakarma
•Shilpashastra texts attributed to Vishvakarma
•Vishvakarma One or More?
•Conclusions of modern research on Vishvakarma
Vishvakarma is worshiped in India as a divine Engineer

28. E05- Shilpashastra Preachers of ancient India
1. Aniruddha – AniruddhaShilpa
2. Atri- AtriSamhita, Atreta Shilpa , Atreyatilakam
3. Aushanas- Aushanasshilpa , Aushanas Dhanurveda
4. Bharadwaja- Bharadwaja-Shilpa, Bharadwaja-
Dhanurveda,Bharadwaja- Arthashastra
5. Bhaskara- Bhaskariyashilpa
6. Bhoja (King of Bhopal) - SamaranganaSutradhar
7. Bhrugu- Brugushilpasamhita, Bhrugumat
8. Bramha- Bramhiyashilpa , Bramhiyachitrakarmashastra
9. Bruhaspati - Bruhaspatishastra, Bruhaspatiyam,
BruhaspatiArthashastra
10.Chitrakarma – ChitrakarmaShilpa

29. 11.Feruthakkar- FeruthakkarVastu
12.Hanumant- HanumatShilpa
13.Ishaan – IshaanShilpa, Ishaanshivgurudevpaddhati
14.KauNapdant- KauNapdant Arthashastra
15.Kautilya- Kautilyiya Arthashastra
16.Kumara – Kumarashilpa, Kumaragama, Shilparatnam
17.Manasar- Manasaar
18.Mandan- VastuMandan, Kodandamandan, Vasturajvallabha,
Prasadmandan, Roopamandan
19.Manu - Manutantra, Manusaar, Manusmruti, Manavsutra.
20.Markandeya - Markandeyashilpa

30. 21.Munimaya- Mayamatam , Mayashastram ,Mayadipika,
MayaSangraha, Mayamaya,Mayavidya, Mayaratnam
22.Nagnajeet - Nagnajeetshilpa, NagnajeetChitralakshyaN
23.Nala- Nalatantra, NalapakdarpaN
24.Narada - Naradashilpa, Naradiya, Naradanitishastra*
25.PaNini – PaNiniShilpa
26.Prabodha- PrabodhaShilpa, Prayoga- PrayogaShilpa,
27.Prajapati – Prajapatishilpa
28.Prashuddha –PrashuddhaShilpa
29.Rhushimaya- RhushimayaShilpa
30.Rudrayamal –RudrayamalVastu

31. 31.Sanatkumar- Sanatkumar Vastushastra, SanatkumarGruhashilpa
32.Saraswata- SaraswataShilpa, Saraswatiyachitrakarmashastra
33.Shatrughna- Shatrughna Shilpa
34.Shounaka – Shounakashilpa
35.Sukhanand- SukhanandVastu
36.Twashtra- Twashtratantra
37.Vajra- Vajrashilpa
38.Valmika- Valmikashilpa
39.Vashishtha- VashishthaShilpa
40.Vasudeva – VasudevaShilpa

32. 41.Vishalakshya-Vishalakshya Arthashastra
42.Vishva – Vishvashilpa
43.Vishvakarma-VishvakarmaPrakashshvakarmaVastushastra
44.Vishvambhar-VishvambharVastu
45.Vishvamitra- Vishvamitrashilpa, VishvamitraDhanurveda
46.Wasudev- Wasudev Vastushastra
47.Yama- Yamashilpa

33. F01-64 Skills of Shilpashastra
•Skills as per Jayamangal
•Skills As per Shukracharya
F02-List of followers of Late G. G. Joshi
F03-List of Library Sources in India
F04-List of Book Sellers in India
F06- Sample of Handwriting of G.G.
Annexure

34. About the Editor of this book
Dr. A.S. Nene
•Professor & Dean (Retd), VNIT Nagpur, Geotechnical Consultant.
•Recipient of Khosla Memorial Award (1987) by Roorkee University .
•Nominated member of Tech. Committee TC-19 of International Society
of Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering ISSMFE on "Preservation of
Historical Sites"
•Research Topics: Anchor foundations, Geosynthetics, Software
development, Mnemonics and Shilpashastra
•Research Papers –More than 50 papers in National and International
journals and conference proceedings.
•Presentations – More than 50 presentations on science and technology
in ancient India are available on web (search words –asnene OR ancient
India).
•Author of 4 Print books and 7 E Books on Shilpashastra.

35. This book would serve as a valuable reference text
for Engineers and Architects.
Contact
For hard copy - nene_ashok@ yahoo.com
Soft copy - prof.ashok.nene@gamail.com