[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) › c2.94 # Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.94 Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.94 - **Language:** English ### [c2.94](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.94) The references to machines in classical Sanskrit literature that we may now examine start with Bāṇa's \*Harṣhacārita\*, the biography of his patron, King Harṣhavardhana of Kanauj (606-647 A.D.). When Harṣha had decided to go against the King of the Gauḍas—who had been responsible for the death of his sister's husband and of his own brother—Skandagupta, a loyal friend and courtier of Harsha, expatiates on the need for caution and exhorts the king to give up his wonted habit of trusting everybody. Illustrating the calamities that befell kings in the past from unsuspected quarters, Skandagupta narrates a series of anecdotes of kings, attached to certain recreations or habits, being taken unawares by scheming enemies and done away with or brought into difficulties. One of the incidents mentioned here records that one Caṇḍīpati was always curious about miraculous things and that a Yavana who had been brought under his control, manufactured a machine-vehicle that could fly, and carried away the King:— - [Previous: c2.93](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.93) - [Next: c2.95](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.95) - [Up: c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2) ## Linked texts (1) - [Harṣacarita](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.historical.harsacarita) — Bāṇabhaṭṭa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.94](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.94) · Pramāṇa