History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c4.11

v1.c4.11

Arts and crafts also flourished. The jewellery made of precious metals, gold, silver & other metals and gems have a special place in Indian tradition. Not only is it an asset, it increases the aesthetic beauty as well. Indian gods and goddesses are also found to have been decorated with forehead, ear, neck, arms, ankle, finger ornaments and ornaments with inlay work and studding of gems. Wooden furniture for household or other purposes were quite common for sittings, reclining, rest, and for different categories of persons and dignitaries (like Brāhmaṇas & Kings). Both hard and soft materials like board & dust, birch-bark, palm leaves, leather, cotton, cloth, paper and ink were used as writing materials. Harder materials were mostly used for engraving and embossing. Leather, leather crafts including processing of skin and their uses, leather dresses, leather boats, boxes, parchments, drums and musical instruments were also important as part of social life. Standardisation in technical crafts and weights and measures were attempted. This is visible in units of length, breadth, area, volume, weight and also time. Indians believed always in a kind of limited & limitless universe. This is also reflected in the system. The concepts of past, present and future have also been found interesting in its various dimensions.