The history of human civilization is not only in writings and stories. But it is also alive in stones, temples, palaces and monuments. Today when we see beautiful skyscrapers and bridges. Then we know that heavy cranes, bulldozers, CAD software, computer design and modern technology and engineering must have been used to build them. But one question always arises. That thousands of years ago in ancient times when these tools were not available. Then people built pyramids, temples, forts, carved caves and huge stone structures that are still standing today. How? What logic did those people use behind this, what tools did they use that they are still standing today. This question is interesting for both science and engineering.
In ancient times, architecture was an example of the integration of mathematics, astronomy and physics. In the present era, there is digital software, but the craftsmen of that time used to build magnificent buildings with their ingenuity and experience. The carving on the stones and the methods of arranging them at a height of hundreds of feet are still a puzzle today.
Ancient Architecture means those methods of construction in which natural materials such as stone, wood, clay, lime, etc. were used, using human and animal power, and with the help of simple but effective tools, geometry and astronomy, such structures were built thousands of years ago.
Today, we use machines. According to archaeological evidence, the remains of stone and metal repairs found during excavations can be said that even in those days, people used to take the help of tools like levers, ramps, ropes, hammers and chisels for heavy work. In which a lever is a simple tool. Which helps in lifting heavy objects. Heavy stones were moved using a long stick and a support. This principle is still used today. The second ramp is the sloping road. During the excavation of the pyramids, such remains have been found that slopes of soil and sand were prepared to raise huge stones to a height. So that the work of carrying heavy stones up became easy. In addition, ropes were used to pull stones weighing 2 to 80 tons. People and animals used to pull stones with ropes together.
Many people think that ancient civilizations were based only on faith and lacked science. But in reality this is a big mistake. The people of that time were very expert in geometry, physics, astronomy and material science. For example, the way the pyramids of Egypt are aligned with all four directions very accurately, proves that even thousands of years ago they had an amazing knowledge of directions and the movement of the earth. In addition, the dockyard of Lothal. About 4,500 years ago, the Harappan civilization built a port in Lothal, which is still a subject of research for marine engineers. The engineers of Lothal knew how to use the tides to bring ships in. When the water rose, wooden gates were placed to release excess water and to maintain the water level during low tide. This technology is used in modern dams today.
The reason why ancient buildings survived for thousands of years is the natural mixture used in the construction of that time, which has proven to be extremely durable even without today's concrete. At that time, natural substances like jaggery, neem juice, glue and dal water were mixed with limestone and the stones were joined. This mixture became as strong as stone over time. In many structures, metal clips or grooves were made in the stone itself to connect the stones and lock them. So that the building does not fall even in an earthquake. This is also called an interlocking system.
At that time, there were no sophisticated laser cutters. However, there was such precision that not even a hair was lost between the stones. Because wooden wedges were used. Holes were made in the stone and pieces of dry wood were filled in them. Then water was poured on it. Due to the swelling of the wood, the stone naturally cracked and it separated into a certain shape. Then the surface was smoothed by rubbing the stone with stone or using a mixture of sand and water.
There is a temple in India. Which is considered one of the highest engineering works of ancient times. Which is the Kailash Temple of Ellora. Most of the structures in the world are built by adding bricks or stones from the bottom up. But the Kailash Temple has been built by carving a single huge mountain from the top down. The craftsmen first started carving at the top of the mountain and then gradually descended. No stone was added or any cement was used in this. If a single mistake had been made, the entire temple could have been ruined. According to archaeologists, 2 lakh tons of stone were removed from the mountain for this temple. The surprising thing is that all this stone was removed in a short period of just 18 to 20 years. The walls of the temple are carved with great detail with scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. A row of hundreds of elephants is carved at the base of the temple. Seeing this, it seems that these elephants have carried the entire temple on their backs.
If we want to see the confluence of mathematics and astronomy, then the Sun Temple of Modhera is a great example of its architecture. Because the temple has been designed in such a way that on two special days of the year, 21 March and 23 September, the first ray of the sun falls directly on the crown of the sun idol in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. When the day and When the night is even, the first ray of the sun would pass directly through the temple's auditorium and fall on the head of the sun idol in the sanctum sanctorum. Geographically, this temple is located very close to the Tropic of Cancer. So it can be assumed that the people of that time had precise knowledge of the latitude and longitude of the earth.
Today we have technology. But the people of that time had patience, perseverance and an understanding of nature. They knew how to work with stone and how to make the best use of natural resources. That is why they were able to create the most amazing architecture in the world.
~Bhautik Thummar.
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