A variety of building materials were used in the ancient construction of buildings from
ancient times. Each of these materials had been thoroughly studied and the methods of
using it in specific locations have been prescribed in texts on
VASTUVIDYA.
The materials are classified broadly into 8 groups:
- 'Sila' (stone)
- 'Istaka' (brick)
- 'Daru' (wood)
- 'Mrtsna' (soil)
- 'Mrllosta' (ceramic)
- 'Sudha' (mortar)
- 'Venu' (bamboo)
- 'Loha' (metal)
DESCRIPTION of Materials:
STONE...................
Early stone work in India was in its natural site. The rock was sculptured to form temples
(Kailasanatha at Ellora) or monoliths (Rathas of Mahabalipuram).
Rock cut caves resembling wooden constructions were also executed.
For sculptural work and idol making, stone was eminently suitable.
BRICK...................
Vastuvidya speaks of 4 types of soils - cikkna, pandara, salona and tamraphulla.
Tamraphulla (sandy clay) is recommended for making bricks and tiles.
The texts Mayamata and Vastuvidya speak of the method of brick making
and thus:
soil free from gravel, stone, rots, bones and clods should be selected.
The soil should have uniform color and consistency. One should wet it further with
the juices of the herbs and go on kneading it for a month. Then bricks and tiles
should be should be shaped in wooden moulds and baked in a kiln. After one month,
they should be thrown in water, taken out dried and used by an expert in construction.
TIMBER...................
Trees were always held in reverence by ancient people. Wood had priority for evolved
forms in Indian architecture.
The fencing and railing of
'stupas', as well as the 'toranas' are of wooden origin.
