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💡 Fascinating Fact - Time Measurement in Ancient India
- Ancient Indians used both shadows and water clocks.
- The earliest mention of shadow timing is in the Arthasastra by Kautilya.
- Varahamihira gave an accurate shadow-time formula around 530 CE.
- The flowing-out water clock was described in early Indian texts.
- It was not very accurate because flow slowed as water dropped.
- This led to the sinking bowl water clock called Ghatika-yantra .
- Aryabhata first mentioned the Ghatika-yantra.
- It was used at monasteries, palaces, and town squares.
- When the bowl sank, drums or conch shells were sounded.
- Pendulum clocks replaced it in the late 19th century.
