Deriving from the Ancient Manuscript

January 30^th, 2016

Samarangana Sutradhar by Raja Bhoj

Lecture by Prof. Nitin Raje

King Raja Bhoj, a great warrior and philosopher of the eleventh century, wrote the ancient text of Samrangana Sutradhar in Sanskrit. It is a discourse in 83 chapters and 7500 shlokas (verses), on civil engineering detailing construction of buildings, forts, temples, idols of deities and mechanical devices. The mythology surrounding the book states that, the God of architecture Vishwakarma sends his four sons in four directions to colonise the earth, his son Jaya poses several questions pertaining to geology, astrophysics, measurements, norms of town planning, residential houses, colonising, temples, military camps, etc. These questions are then answered by Raja Bhoj in the Samrangana Sutradhar.

Raja Bhoj put his theories in practice as he planned cities, built educational institutions, palaces, temples, hospitals, stepped wells, pavilions, wharfs, lakes in the Dhar region and its neighbourhood. Many shlokas in the manuscript are palindromes, which illustrates the king as a writer and theoretician. There is a mention of sixty-four hastas (mudras) that also discusses the significance of the sponsor’s hasta in measurement of a space. The word Samara is a pun as it means both battlefield and a mortal human being, while Sutradhar literally means the ‘thread bearer’, the architect who takes measurements by means of a plumb line.

The text describes the planning theory from part to whole by stating that a dwelling lies in a locality, which forms a part of a town, which is a limb of the earth. The manuscript begins with Mahasama- Prithvi, invocation to the earth as it talks about how one can describe earth. Then there is a focus on the individual as a composition of the Panchamahabhutas – the five basic elements, which are earth, water, fire, air and ether and how their interplay leads to Tanmatras.

Ashtangulakhna- the eight gunas (good points) are emphasized while planning a town, namely, selection of land, its elevation, quality of clay, water supply, direction of sun & wind and its surroundings. Vastusanthana matrika - the plan is then organized in a square grid that reflects the social organization, accessibility and security. Vastupurusha or the cosmic being is embedded not only in the planning of a dwelling but also that of a town. The Vastupurusha in town planning also has some susceptible organs and strategic positions- the Marmavedha, which are the king’s palace, treasury and the army headquarters.

There are sixteen types of dwellings Prasadas, up to 12 storey that have been described in the text, with details about orientation, sun, wind, dimensions and space organization, wall painting, etc. considering factors of astronomy and astrology. These formed prototypical dwellings and patrons could instruct the architect that he would like a Kailasa or a Sarvatobhadra (types of dwellings) house and the architect would understand what was expected of him. Something that is even found in practice today, where prototypical design styles have been identified by the masses and the architect is instructed by the client to produce a “prototypical” piece of architecture, where design elements, materials and aesthetics of the structure are already prescribed.

For a thorough understanding of the script one must familiarize with other related texts such as, Natyashastra (for sculptures and postures), Matsyapurana (for measurements of limbs of idols), Shilpashastra (making of a sculpture), etc.  Construction and description of the Nagara and the Dravida style temples has been illustrated in the text. This shows the extent of the king’s research and knowledge that must have taken him across the country.

It is intriguing to know that there is also a chapter on failures in construction and building. How faulty brick construction can cause a calamity in the owner’s house if not rectified. Qualities and drawbacks of brick masonry are mentioned as Suvibhakta (without vertical joints),Samah (levels) and Caru (aesthetics of brick bonds). The craftsmen had evolved their own communication device, which speaks of a progressive generation where modes of communication and knowledge were passed on without adultery.

A chapter on constructing mechanical devices explains basic principles of making these machines, but details are not revealed to prevent misuse. The theories of these mechanical creations must have stemmed from a deep knowledge of science and mathematics that must have existed in the society then.       

(Word count- 674)