Sanskrit and Pali literature has innumerable references to the maritime activity of Indians in ancient times. There is also one treatise in Sanskrit, named Yukti Kalpa Taru which has been compiled by a person called Bhoja Narapati.
(The Yukti Kalpa Taru (YKT) had been translated and published by Prof. Aufrecht in his 'Catalogue of Sanskrit Manu scripts.
This treatise gives a technocratic exposition on the technique of shipbuilding. It sets forth minute details about the various types of ships, their sizes, the materials from which they were built. The Yukti Kalpa Taru sums up in a condensed form all the available information
The Yukti Kalpa Taru gives sufficient information and date to prove that in ancient times, Indian shipbuilders had a good knowledge of the materials which were used in building ships. Apart from describing the qualities of the different types of wood and their suitablility in shipbuilding, the Yukti Kalpa Taru also gives an elaborate classification of ships based on their size.
The primary division is into 2 classes viz. Samanya (ordinary) and Vishesha (Special). The ordinary type for sea voyages. Ships that undertook sea voyages were classified into, Dirgha type of ships which had a long and narrow hull and the Unnata type of ships which had a higher hull.
The treatise also gives elaborate directions for decorating and furnishing the ships with a view to making them comfortable for passengers. Also mentioned are details about the internal seating and accommodation to be provided on the ships. Three classes of ships are distinguished according to their length and the position of cabins. The ships having cabins extending from one end of the deck to the other are called Sarvamandira vessels.
These ships are recommended for the transport of royal treasure and horses. The next are the Madhyamarnandira vessels which have cabins only in the middle part of their deck. these vessels are recommended for pleasure trips. And finally there is a category of Agramandira vessels, these ships were used mainly in warfare.
MACCHA-YANTRA - THE ANCIENT INDIAN MARINER'S COMPASS
Interestingly there were Sanskrit terms for many parts of a ship. The ship's anchor was known as Nava-Bandhan-Kilaha which literally means 'A Nail to tie up a ship' . The sail was called Vata Vastra a which means 'wind-cloth'.
The hull was termed StulaBhaga i.e. an'expanded area'. The rudder was called Keni-Pata, Pata means blade; the rudder was also known as Karna which literally means a 'ear' and was so called because it used to be a hollow curved blade, as is found today in exhaust fans. The ship's keel was called Nava-Tala which means 'bottom of a ship'. The mast was known as Kupadanda, in which danda means a pole.
Even a sextant was used for navigation and was called Vruttashanga- Bhaga. But what is more surprising is that even a contrived mariner's compass was used by Indian navigators nearly 1500 to 2000 years ago. This claim is not being made in an overzealous nationalistic spirit. This has in fact been the suggestion of an European expert, Mr. J.L. Reid, who was a member of the Institute of Naval Architects and Ship builders in England at around the beginning of the present century. This is what Mr. Reid has said in the Bombay Gazetteer, vol. xiii., Part ii., Appendix A.
"The early Hindu astrologers are said to have used the magnet, in fixing the North and East, in laying foundations, and other religious ceremonies.
The Hindu compass was an iron fish that floated in a vessel of oil and pointed to the North. The fact of this older Hindu compass seems placed beyond doubt by the Sanskrit word Maccha Yantra, or fish machine, which Molesworth gives as a name for the mariner's compass".
It is significant to note that these are the words of a foreign Naval Architect and Shipbuilding Expert. Is is thus quite possible that the Maccha Yantra (fish machine) was transmitted to the west by the Arabs to give us the mariner's compass of today.
Dear Bala sir That was excellent Yo coulnt have send it at a more appropriate time than when we are discussing Sandilyan...Those who have read Kadal Pura would remember how Karunakaran Thondaimaan later famous for Kalingathu parani explains all this in his conversion of merchant ships to agramanthirams and quotes Yukthi Kalapatharu...as well
Sandilyan was also well versed in the technology of the tamils and greeks as he eloborates it in Yavanarani and Kadal Pura
Last few weeks, i was busy in coordinating activities in different field. even with orissa maritime studies.
soon i will send complete information on ancient sailors,shipbuilders,logists method,tax collected by kings for sea venturing,slogans for requestig sea god for safe landing by the merchant, fisherman families, sea pirates,war navals attacking methods,and many more.
JDCA Jatin das centre of arts ( jatin das is a father of actress Nandita Das) going to organise internationaL art (painting) film festival during 16th18th december for the first time aT ORISSA .Lot of art historians going to attend the function.
DURING THAT PERIOD , MAY ABLE TO GIVE MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS SUBJECT.
Thanks for the wonderful information. I am very kneen of making a small study on "Military Food" of ancient tamil nadu. Have you any idea where I can get this information?
but a thought provoking question. must have been a mass produced ruel with energy giving carbohydrates. hot and steaming in a thonnai each.
but talking about food o f the pas even during peace time what we take for granted wasnt ther. even today in many parts of interior tamil nadu idlies are made only for diwali.
Really our group members are thought provoking people..
Regarding your special enquiry Sp sir or kudavoil sir kalaikovan sir, or jaybee sir can able to answer your question.
Iyya ennai vitudungo.
i heard about the history of sambar.
when the peace talk with tamil and marati king on the forest.
one wooden pot kept with puli kuzlambu, and other pot with dal, kings are tired need food urgently. when suddenly negligence of assistant pot got broken and doll and kuzambu got mixed.
clevar minster insist cook to mix both and kept near village deity and told kings and serve that new receipe as a bhog . Every one happy with the taste.
Oh my God!!! Idli only for Deepawali is so sad. Sometimes I wonder maybe the Kings of the bygone era could have fed our population in a better way.
But I can't stop wondering what thier military rations were. They had to walk, run, fight in hand to hand combat..........kanji..........too weak......maybe meat on hoof?
I remember my father-in-law talking about such a state of affairs(idli for diwali) for him during his childhood days.. I dont think Tamilnadu has dramatically improved, until the villages are far removed from poverty.. :(