History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c32.s2.t9.19

v1.c32.s2.t9.19

A systematic classification of all the devices used in ancient kingdoms has been done by R.J. Forbes very recently (Forbes, II, pp. 38-39). The list covers all the devices applied at various periods in different countries. But Kauṭilya’s *Arthaśāstra* has made a scientific classification of all the water-lifting devices into four broad categories as early as the fourth century B.C. (AŚ. II. 24.41). His method of arrangement of devices is fairly in accordance with the methods adopted by modern authors and it still holds good.