Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c33.s3: Epic Age

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c33.s3

Language
English

Epic Age

v1.c33.s3.1

In ancient India, the means of communication was through messengers and there existed numerous roads of varying types, eg. *Rājamārga*. Many roads connecting the important cities of *Āryāvarta* existed. One such example was the *Tāmasamārga* a highway which Rama took to reach Sringaverapure. According to North western recension of the *Rāmāyaṇa* a good road was auspicious and safe and further afforded fruits and water for the traveller (Guruge). The N.W recension of the *Rāmāyaṇa* gives a detailed account of how a road is built. Jungles were cleared and levelled to make way for paths and roads. Pits and low level areas were filled.

v1.c33.s3.2

Mounds and hillocks were razed. Fords were constructed to cross rivers. Since most of the old routes were built along the river banks, the traveller had a constant supply of water. The roads were not paved.

v1.c33.s3.3

Bridges also seem to have been used as gleaned from the word *Setubandhana*, Rama’s bridge to Lanka.

v1.c33.s3.4

Beasts of burden are also frequently alluded to in the *Rāmāyaṇa*. According to P.C. Dharma, ‘the transport of commercial goods was effected by packhorses and pack bulls’ (as cited by Guruge).

v1.c33.s3.5

Elephants walked majestically on the royal roads. These were probably used to bear royal persons on ceremonial occasions.

v1.c33.s3.6

*Vahana* is another term frequently used. *Śivikā* or palanquins were also a popular mode of transport. This is referred to by Dasaratha as a means of transport for desert and forest. Sita is said to have been brought in a palanquin, after the war. The bow of Janaka, the *Rudradhanus*, is said to have been brought in an iron wagon with 8 wheels drawn by 800 men.

v1.c33.s3.7

Chariots were another important mode of conveyance. It was probably used by the more effluent people in the kingdom. Chariots of various types are mentioned including the ones made of precious metal. *Vaiyaghra* meant one covered with tiger skins while *Pāṇḍukambalī* were covered with white woollen blankets. *Akṣa* (axle), *yuga* (yoke), *nidha* or *bandhura* (seat) and *kubara* (wooden frame) are the various components of a chariot that can be gleaned from the epic. These were usually drawn by horses. *Brahmaratha* was a special type of chariot used by the Brāhmaṇas of the Epic age.

v1.c33.s3.8

The *Bhagavatam* says that Lord Krisna carried away Rukminī in his swift moving chariot.

v1.c33.s3.9

The *Mahābhārata* mentions great charioteers in the battle fields of Kuruksetra (Krisna as Arjuna’s charioteer). Each chariot had flags atop, according to his choice (eg. *Hanumadhvaja* of Arjuna).

v1.c33.s3.10

Rivers were crossed by means of boats. Guha had the reputation of being an excellent boatman. Bharata’s party was supplied with 500 boats with the auspicious ‘*Svastikā*’ symbol marked on them (Guruge). The tale of Rsyasrnga refers to a ferry like a “floating island”, used to bring him to the kingdom.

Linked texts (3)