Sudarshan Raj Tiwari, Professor
Department of Architecture
Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Abstract:
Classical Vaastushastra, the science of architecture, which originates from the
ancient Hindu/Buddhist thoughts and practices, is believed to have been the basis of the
architectural developments of the Malla period. This paper reads, translates and analyses
the contents of a Vaastushastra document copied towards the end of the seventeenth
century and seeks to identify innovations that were made in the classical documents that
must have been responsible for the uniqueness of residential architecture of the Malla
period which largely defined the ambience of the urban areas.
The document reveals that great importance given to trees and wood in Newar architecture
and contains significant instructions on proper planting and care of trees as well as
selecting appropriate wood for use in particular building components. It is seen that the
absolute measures as well as the scale of measurement prescribed in the document differs
from the scale and measure outlined in the general Vaastu documents pertaining to Nagara
and Dravida traditions. Similar case seems to pertain to the Manadeva system applied to
measurement of land, public buildings and religious buildings such as temples and bahals.
A very extensive section on pattern and consequences of living in houses with particular
design is another special characteristics of this Vaastushastra for residential buildings and
the author is not aware of availability of such contents in comparable traditions in India.
Although the general design and layout guidelines do appear directed by the principles
stated in Brihatsamhita and such other classical documents, the some particular patterns
and consequences are Newar/ Nepali innovations that make it quite distinct. The actualbasis of prediction of consequences of design to different members of the residing family
such as the owner, his wife, son or daughter is not known from classical sources and so
appears as another innovation in the traditions. These seem to have worked as strong
controlling/regulating measures that created a possibility of diversity in design while
assuring stylistic uniformity so characteristic of the Malla towns.
Suitability of timber from certain trees for different parts and components of buildings
have been discussed and possibly draw from Silpashastra traditions with modifications to
suit local vegetation. Further analysis may reveal the relevance of the rule to the property
of the particular wood from the tree. The ecological sense of the society may be reflected
in some of the trees that are recommended for plantation but stated as not suited for use as
building timber.
It is very likely that it is such differences from the Nagara and Dravida traditions that
Newar/Nepali architectural traditions could have earned the categorical name of Varata or
Vesara, which we find mentioned in several classical documents but researchers have not
been able to spatially or stylistically assign to any Indian region.
The document also highlights many terminologies used in architecture that were in use in
Newar architecture but have since gone out of use or forgotten. Many of the words could
not be found the Newar dictionaries available to the researcher.
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Vaastushastra in the Residential buildings of the Malla period.