[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952) › c2.24 # Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.24 Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.24 - **Language:** English ### [c2.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.24) The word "\*yantra\*" is derived from the root \*yam\*, to control, and has been freely used in ancient India for any contrivance; some very simple ones are commonly known: the water-pulley in the well was called \*Ghaṭīyantra\*; an oil-presser was \*Taila-yantra\*; a cane-presser was \*Ikṣhu-yantra\*; ploughs, water-lifts and even weighing balances were referred to as \*yantras\* (\*Arthaśāstra\* II. 19; II. 24); and in Tamil even the stone grain-grinder is referred to by the Tamil form of the same name "\*entiram\*." These should not lead us to think that very complicated mechanisms were not evolved by the ancients. - [Previous: c2.23](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.23) - [Next: c2.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.25) - [Up: c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2) ## Linked texts (1) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya.2.19) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.24) · Pramāṇa