SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS IN INDIA: A CIVILIZATIONAL LEGACY ACROSS THE AGES- Part II
PART II — CIVILIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS 1. MONUMENTAL ARCHITECTURE, URBAN DESIGN, TEMPLE ENGINEERING & HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS [by Ved Pal, IRSE; FIE, FIPWE, MBA; Former Chief Administrative Officer (Ministry of Rlys, Govt of India); Former Principal Chief Engineer (Min. of Rlys, GOI)] 1.1 Epic Age Architecture: Palace Engineering, Urban Planning & Oceanic Construction Traditions (c. 8th–6th Millennium BCE) The Valmiki Ramayana and Mahabharata describe highly developed traditions of palace architecture, fortified cities, and large-scale civil engineering works. Ayodhya and Mithila (Janakpur) are depicted as planned cities with wide roads, gateways, defensive walls, and multi-storeyed palatial complexes. Lanka is described as a fortified island metropolis with elevated palace structures, metallic embellishments, and complex urban layout. The descriptions of Lanka and Ravana’s palace suggest a mature tradition of palace engineering integrating defence, structural ...