History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c35.s1.2

v1.c35.s1.2

As early as in Vedic period we get references to the furniture articles. The terms like *Paryaṅka* (AV. XV. 3.3), *Āsandi* (Macdonell & Keith, 1912, vol. 1. p.71), *Proṣṭha* (*RV*. VII. 55.8), *Talpa* (*RV*. VII. 55.88; AV. V. 17.12; XIV. 2.31.41; Taitt, S. VI. 2.6.4), *Vāhya* (*RV*. VII. 55.8: AV. IV. 5.3, 20.3; XIV. 2.30), *Śayana* (AV. III. 2.5.7; V. 29.8), *Upabarhaṇa* (Macdonell & Keith, 1912, Vol. 1, p.71), *Upavāsana* (Macdonell & Keith, 1912, Vol. 1, p.71), *Upastaraṇa* (*RV*. IX. 69.5; AV.V. 19.12; *Kaus. Up.* i.5) *Upadhāna* (AV. XIV. 2.65) denote the furniture known to the Vedic India. *Paryaṅka* denoted a seat for the Brahmins (*Kaus. Up.* i.5). It corresponded more a throne (Weber) and the *Pāllaṅka* of the Buddhist text and the *Paryaṅka* seem to connote the same meaning, throne and interestingly it gets frequent sculptural and mural depictions.