The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava: With Text, English Translation and Commentary c5.3

c5.3

The *Śulbasūtras* are of special importance because these deal specifically with rules for the measurements and constructions of the various sacrificial fires and altars and consequently involve geometrical propositions and problems relating to rectilinear figures, their combinations and transformations, squaring the circle and circling the square as well as arithmetical and algebraic solutions of problems arising out of such measurements and constructions. The word *śulba* (also spelt as *śulva*) means a 'cord', a 'rope' or a 'string', and its root *śulb* signifies 'measuring' or 'act of measurement'.b It is interesting to note that, among the Egyptians, geometry of surveying was considered to be the science of the 'rope-stretchers' (*harpedonap'tae*) who thus appear to be the Egyptian counterpart of the Indian *śulbavids*.