Description
Motilal Banarsidass Publications Vastumandanam by Dr Anasuya Bhowmick
In the 15th century A.D., the Vastumandana of Sutradhara Mandana was considered to be an authoritative treatise on architecture. This book consists of only eight chapters, and gives detailed description of a fort, the remains of which still exists near Udaipur city. Secular architecture, especially the Sala houses are described here in great details. Along with the specialization in architecture, the author was also proficient in Astrology and he stresses on Ecology. It is the only Vastu text, where description of war weapons and firearms were put on records. Though the description is not very clear, yet it is unique on its own. In Indian Encyclopedia, architecture has been depicted as the rudimentary art of India and almost all other forms of art have emerged as accessories to it. We find similar tune in the article written by K.R. Pisharoti, who writes, "Architecture is one of the most important forms in which the Indian culture has found expression from ancient times." The New Encyclopedia Britannica explicates architecture along with some other arts, the practice of architecture embraces both aesthetic and utilitarian aspects. Architecture has a sprawling history in our country. We find references of various architectural forms specially altars of multifarious shapes and sizes for sacrifices in the Vedic literature. Some of the major Puranas like Matsya, Agni, Garuda and others, expatiate and explain various aspects of architecture. In the later period we find a number of texts from different regions of India, which deal extensively with different forms of architecture; religious as well as secular. To name a few they are Manasara, Mayamata, Visvakarma Vastusastra, Samaranganasutradhara, Aparajitaprchha and so on. The Vastumandana, a treatise on architecture of medieval age, shows close acquaintance with the vastu works from Gujarat. Basically it is a compilation from other vastu texts, in some places it shows its inherent exclusivity.