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Indian Knowledge System in Action

Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) in Action & Definition

I. Examples of IKS in Action

A. Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur

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  • Construction: Built by Raja Raja Chola I, completed in 1010 CE.
  • Material: Entirely constructed of granite.
  • Scale:
    • Approximately 60,000 tons of granite used.
    • Features the world's tallest temple tower (Vimanam).
    • The upper structure (Kumbam) weighs about 80 tons and is 200 feet tall.
  • Engineering Marvel: Placing an 80-ton stone on top of a 200 feet tower 1000 years ago required a deep understanding of engineering.
  • Supply Chain Issue: There is no granite within 65-70 kilometers radius of Thanjavur, leading to the questions on supply chain management. Thus pointing towards advanced knowledge of supply chain and procurement.

B. Musical Pillars

  • Location: Found in some Dravidian temples.
  • Function: Produce musical notes (sa, re, ga, ma, etc.) when tapped.
  • Material: Made of granite.
  • Implies: Knowledge of sound and frequency

C. Iron Pillars

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  • Delhi Iron Pillar: Located near Qutub Minar.
  • Other Iron Pillars: Dhar, Madhya Pradesh (approx. 7,000 kgs., 12th Century CE), Mount Abu, Bhubaneswar, Konark (29 iron beams), Puri (239 pillars found under sea).
  • Implication: These point towards well-established metal working industry.

D. Pancha-Loha Idols

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  • Description: Beautiful idols from the Chola period, often smuggled out of the country.
  • Material: Made of Panca-loha (alloy of five metals: Gold, Silver, Copper, Zinc, and Lead).
  • Manufacturing Process:
    • Based on an original sculpture.
    • Uses a process called madhu Madhucchista Vidhanam (bee-hive wax technique).
  • Lost wax casting using the bee wax process started in 17th century and was being done in India for 1500+ years.

E. Sacrificial Altars

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  • Syenachiti: Ancient sacrificial altar.
  • Construction: Specific geometrical shapes and exact numbers of pieces (e.g., the flying falcon with exactly 200 pieces).
  • Varieties: Indians used 75-77 varieties of altars.
  • Implies: Good mathematical understanding and foundation.

II. Defining Indian Knowledge System (IKS)

A. Three Components

  • Indian:
    • Geographically: Refers to the undivided Indian subcontinent (Akhanda Bharata), from Afghanistan to Burma/Thailand.
    • Demographically: Those born/lived in India for a substantial time and fully integrated into the culture (including long-term foreign residents).
    • Excludes foreign translations or accounts that are not generated by Indians.
  • Knowledge:
    • Emanates from wisdom and deep experiences.
    • Includes observations, experimentation, and analysis.
    • Has formal literary repositories and oral traditions.
    • Includes cultural practices and health knowledge existing in oral traditions
  • System:
    • A structured methodology and classification scheme.
    • A system for accessing available knowledge.
    • Complete, compact, and interconnected, with important components not missed.
    • Includes a logical relationship between components.

B. Dimensions of IKS

  • Spiritual, Religious and Others (Secular, supply chain management, metal working, day to day activities).

C. Key Characteristics of System

  • The knowledge system permeates three dimensions (spiritual, religious, and others).
  • The system aims for complete knowledge with all important components.
  • The knowledge is well organized, logically interconnected, and efficient.

III. Conclusion

  • IKS is defined by a combination of a geographical, demographic identity (Indian), a wisdom-based knowledge system, and a structured approach to knowledge (system).
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