Achievements of Ancient Indians in Civil Engineering and Architecture
Indians were familiar with Sthapaty Kala i.e., art of construction. The knowledge of civil engineering and architecture acquired by Harappan people is undisputed. The knowledge of construction and its use once again caught momentum in later vedic period and finally culminated into second urban revolution in sixth century B.C. The development and growth of the science is best manifested in the form of temples, palaces and forts. Indian architecture and civil engineering reached Baluchistan, Central Asia, Sri Lanka, South-East Asian countries, Korea, Japan etc.
World heritage sites like Ajanta, Ellora, Khajuraho, Sanchi, Mahabalipuram etc. bear the testimony of excellent planning and execution by architects and craftsmen.
Irrigation
Water management techniques developed during ancient India indicates the relation between social need and technological progress. Irrigation canals of different sizes, wells of different types (including ring wells), storage tanks etc. were constructed. Sudarsan Lake at Grinar in Kathiwar built in 3rd century B.C. was of enormous size. The interest shown by later rulers in its upkeep and repair shows general interest of ancient rulers in work related to water management and irrigation. Many other utilitarian inventions like variyantra (probably a revolving water spray for cooling the air) mentioned in Arthashastra and Malvikaagnimitram were work of unknown scientists / engineers of ancient India.
