Dept of EEE
Overveiw
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boasting a legacy of academic distinction since its establishment
in 1990. We offer a transformative educational experience,
fostering holistic development, nurturing innovation and
providing world-class facilities to ensure an enriching journey for
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INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS
Module - 3
Traditional Knowledge in Professional domain: Town planning and
architecture Construction, Health, wellness and Psychology-
Medicine, Agriculture, Governance and public administration,
United Nations Sustainable development goals.
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INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS
Concept of Traditional Knowledge in the Professional
Domain refers to the application or integration of
indigenous, ancestral, or culturally-rooted knowledge
systems into modern professional practices across various
fields such as medicine, agriculture, architecture,
environmental management, law, and more.
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➢ What is Traditional Knowledge (TK)?
➢ Traditional Knowledge includes:
➢ Indigenous knowledge passed down through generations.
➢ Community-based practices related to nature, health, and
society.
➢ Oral traditions, rituals, folklore, and customs.
wellness and Psychology- ayurveda concepts and reality
INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS
Lis Relevance of TK in the Professional Domain
1. Medicine and Healthcare
•Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and herbal
remedies are increasingly integrated into alternative and
complementary medicine.
•Pharmaceutical industries research plant-based cures inspired by
Dept of EEE indigenous practices.
2. Agriculture
•Organic farming techniques, crop rotation, natural pest
control—practices rooted in indigenous farming—are key to
sustainable agriculture today.
•Professionals use traditional weather prediction methods and
soil health management.
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3. Environmental Management
➢ Indigenous knowledge about ecosystem balance, biodiversity
conservation, and climate resilience helps modern conservation
efforts.
➢ Examples: Controlled burning by Aboriginal Australians, sacred
groves conservation in India.
4. Architecture and Design
➢ Vernacular architecture—like mud houses, thatched roofs, or
Dept of EEE traditional cooling systems—inspires sustainable and climate-
responsive modern buildings.
5. Law and Intellectual Property
➢ Professionals in the legal field deal with protecting TK through
intellectual property rights, patents, and benefit-sharing models.
➢ Legal frameworks are evolving to respect and compensate
communities for their knowledge.
. Education and Research
➢ Ethnographic and participatory research methods draw from community-led
learning and observation.
➢ Inclusion of TK in curricula enhances cross-cultural understanding.
Challenges
➢ Misappropriation or exploitation of TK without consent or benefit-sharing.
➢ Loss of TK due to globalization and modernization.
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➢ Lack of documentation and standardization.
Opportunities
➢ Promotes sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity.
➢ Bridges the gap between modern science and indigenous wisdom.
➢ Empowers local communities and preserves cultural identity.
Traditional Knowledge in Town
Planning and Architectural
Dept of EEE Construction
Traditional Town Planning Concepts
• Traditional societies had advanced concepts of urban planning
that emphasized sustainability, community living, and harmony
with nature. These included:
Zoning and Functionality
➢ Indus Valley Civilization: Cities like Mohenjo-Daro had grid
layouts, drainage systems, public baths, and clearly zoned
Dept of EEE residential, commercial, and administrative areas.
➢ Vastu Shastra (India): Ancient Indian planning based on energy
flow (Vastu Purusha Mandala) to determine building orientation,
street layout, and land use.
➢ Islamic Planning: Old cities in the Middle East and North Africa
were designed with narrow shaded streets, courtyard houses,
and central markets (souks) to foster social interaction and
climate adaptation.
Natural Integration
➢ Traditional towns often respected the natural topography, water
sources, wind patterns, and sunlight.
➢ Sacred groves, water tanks, and green buffers were intentionally
preserved within settlements.
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Traditional Architectural Techniques and Materials
Traditional architecture is deeply connected to local
climate, resources, and culture.
A. Climatic Responsiveness
•Jalis (perforated stone screens) in Mughal architecture
allowed ventilation and diffused light.
Dept of EEE •Thick mud walls in desert regions (like Rajasthan,
India) provided insulation.
•Courtyards in homes (in India, China, Iran) allowed
natural light, ventilation, and thermal comfort.
B. Local and Sustainable Materials
➢ Mud, bamboo, stone, lime plaster, thatch, and
timber were used because they were locally available
and eco-friendly.
➢ Lime instead of cement: Traditional lime plasters (like
in Hampi or Jaipur) are breathable, durable, and
sustainable.
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➢ C. Earthquake and Climate Resilience
➢ Kath-Kuni technique (Himachal Pradesh, India):
Timber and stone interlocked to absorb seismic
shock.
➢ Bhungas (Kutch, India): Circular mud huts that
withstand earthquakes and extreme temperatures.
Modern Applications and Revival
Modern architects and planners are now reviving and
integrating traditional knowledge for sustainability and
resilience.
➢ A. Sustainable Urban Design
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➢ Smart cities are looking at traditional urban layouts
to incorporate walkability, mixed-use zoning, and
green corridors.
➢ Eco-cities often mimic indigenous patterns—like
integrating green spaces and water harvesting
systems from traditional practices.
Modern Applications and Revival
➢ B. Green Architecture
➢ Modern vernacular architecture uses traditional
materials with modern engineering—for example,
rammed earth walls, bamboo structures, and passive
cooling systems.
➢ C. Heritage Conservation
Dept of EEE ➢ Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings (e.g., turning
havelis into hotels) respects traditional aesthetics while
giving them modern functionality.
Indian Knowledge System in Health, Wellness &
Psychology
1. Psychology & Mental Health
•Yoga Philosophy: Not just physical practice but also
mental and spiritual discipline (e.g., Patanjali’s Yoga
Sutras).
•Meditation (Dhyana): Used for self-regulation,
Dept of EEE emotional stability, and awareness.
•Bhakti (Devotion) and Jnana (Wisdom): Paths that
support emotional well-being and mental clarity.
•Ayurvedic Psychology (Manas Roga): Classifies
mental disorders and emotional imbalances through
doshas and mental gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas).
Ayurveda (Science of Life)
➢ Tridosha Theory: Vata, Pitta, Kapha govern body-
mind functions.
➢ Panchakarma: Detoxification therapies to restore
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➢ Rasayana: Rejuvenation therapies to enhance
vitality and longevity.
➢ Ahara-Vihara: Emphasis on diet and lifestyle for
preventive care
Yoga & Wellness
Asanas (Postures): For physical flexibility and health.
Pranayama (Breath Control): Enhances lung function,
calms the mind.
Yamas & Niyamas: Ethical and personal disciplines for
Dept of EEE holistic health.
AyurYoga: Integration of yoga practices with Ayurvedic
principles.
Siddha & Unani Systems
• Siddha: Tamil traditional system emphasizing alchemy, herbal
medicine, and energy channels.
• Unani: Greek-Arabic medical system based on four humors
(blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile) and temperaments.
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• Both systems contribute to health maintenance and disease
treatment in India.
Spiritual Healing & Indigenous Practices
➢ Use of mantras, rituals, herbs, and energy practices for healing..
➢ Tribal and folk healing systems rooted in ecological harmony and
community wisdom.
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Modern Research & Integration
• Evidence-based validation of practices like yoga for stress relief,
improved immunity, and chronic illness management.
• Holistic health models in modern wellness centers often draw
from Indian Knowledge Systems.
Dept of EEE • Inclusion in National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and AYUSH
initiatives.
Significance in the Professional Domain
• Mental Health: Growing use of meditation and mindfulness in
psychology and therapy.
• Preventive Medicine: Diet, lifestyle, and seasonal routines in
Ayurveda are gaining professional acceptance.
• Global Wellness: Yoga and Ayurveda are pillars of the global
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Interdisciplinary Research: Collaboration between traditional
practitioners and modern researchers is increasing.
DOSHA AND ITS SEASON OF AbbRAVATION
.
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शीतोद्भवं दोषचयं वसन्ते ववशोधनं ग्रीष्मजमभ्रकाले|
घनात्यये वावषिकमाशु सम्यक् प्राप्नोतत रोगानत
ृ ज
ु ान्न जात|ु |३५||
Wellness Concepts!
➢ DINACHARYA= Daily regimen including Food and
Activities
➢ RATRICHAYA= Regimen after Sunset
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➢ RITUCHARYA= Seasonal regimen including Seasonal
purificatory therapies
➢ SADVRITTA= Moral Conduct
प्राणााः प्राणभत ृ ामन्नमन्नं लोकोऽभभधावतत|
वणिाः प्रसादाः सौस्वयं जीववतं प्रततभा सख ु म ्||३४९||
तषु ष्टाः पषु ष्टर्िलं मेधा सविमन्ने प्रततषष्ततम ्|
र्लमारोग्यमायश्ु च प्राणाश्चाग्नौ प्रततषष्ततााः|
अन्नपानेन्धनैश्चाषग्नर्जविलतत व्येतत चान्या ा ||३४२||
न रागान्नाप्यववज्ञानादाहारानप ु योजयेत ्|
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परीक्ष्य हहतमश्नीयाद्दे हो ह्याहारसम्भवाः||४१||
आहारसम्भवं वस्तु रोगाश्चाहारसम्भवााः|
हहताहहतववशेषाच्च ववशेषाः सुखदाःु खयोाः||४५||
Concept of Balanced diet
From Honey
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रागादिरोगान ्
सततानष
ु क्तानशेषकायप्रसत ृ ानशेषान ् |
औत्सक् ु यमोहारततिाञ्जघान
योऽपर्
ू र्
व ैद्याय नमोस्तु तस्मै|
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Agriculture in Indian Knowledge System
Holistic Farming Practices
•Krishi Parashara, Vrikshayurveda, and other
ancient texts describe methods of:
• Land preparation
Dept of EEE • Crop rotation
• Natural fertilizers (manure, compost)
• Pest control using herbs and organic methods
Agriculture in Indian Knowledge System
Traditional Irrigation Systems
Kunds, Baolis, Ahar-Pyne, Tank irrigation, and Stepwells used
for effective water harvesting and drought management.
Dept of EEE Varsha-Jal Niyantran (rainwater control) techniques were
highly localized and climate-adapted.
Agriculture in Indian Knowledge System
Seed Preservation & Biodiversity
Indigenous methods for seed selection, treatment, and
preservation-maintained crop diversity and resilience.
Community knowledge kept native seed banks alive—crucial
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Agriculture in Indian Knowledge System
Soil and Seasonal Awareness
Farmers had deep ecological understanding of soil types,
monsoon patterns, and lunar planting cycles.
Panchang (almanacs) were used for predicting best
Dept of EEE sowing/harvesting times.
Governance and Public Administration in IKS
➢ Key Features of Governance in IKS
➢ Decentralized Administration:
➢ The Panchayat system, referenced in the Rigveda and later texts,
embodies grassroots governance.
➢ Village assemblies (sabhas and samitis) functioned with autonomy
and accountability.
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➢ Dharma-Centric Rule:
➢ Kings and administrators were expected to govern based on
Dharma—ethical and moral righteousness.
➢ The ruler was seen as a servant of the people, not an absolute
monarch.
Governance and Public Administration in IKS
Consultative Governance:
➢ Ancient Indian polity encouraged Mantri Parishads (councils of
ministers).
➢ Decision-making was collective and involved scholars,
ministers, and local representatives.
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Governance and Public Administration in IKS
Public administration in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)
reflects a deeply rooted tradition of governance that
emphasized ethical leadership, decentralization, justice, and
welfare. From ancient scriptures like the Vedas and
Dharmashastras to political treatises like Arthashastra, Indian
thinkers developed sophisticated frameworks for
administration, well before the advent of Western models.
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Governance and Public Administration in IKS
. Foundational Texts & Thinkers
Arthashastra by Kautilya (Chanakya)
➢ Comprehensive manual on statecraft, economy, diplomacy,
and administration.
➢ Emphasized merit-based recruitment, specialization of
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duties, and state accountability.
➢ Introduced concepts like spy networks, auditing, and
departmental divisions (Tirthas).
Governance and Public Administration in IKS
Manusmriti & Dharmashastra
Focused on duties of rulers and administrators based on Dharma
(righteousness).
Addressed civil, criminal laws and rules of public conduct.
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Vedas & Epics
The Rigveda mentions Sabhas and Samitis — early forms of
participatory governance.
Mahabharata and Ramayana reflect the ethical foundations of
kingship and justice (Rajadharma).
Governance and Public Administration in IKS
Administrative Institutions
Institution Function
Local assemblies and decision-
Sabha/Samiti
making bodies
Council of ministers under the
Rajya Sabha
king
Chief ministers or high-ranking
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officials
Law enforcement and judicial
Dandadhikari
officer
Specialized administrative
Tirthas
departments
Public Administration in IKS
Legacy and Contemporary Relevance
Many ancient principles resonate with modern public administration:
Ancient Concept Modern Parallel
Gram Sabha Panchayati Raj
Merit-based appointments Civil Services Exams (UPSC, etc.)
Dept of EEE Good Governance, RTI, Anti-
Ethical governance (Rajadharma)
Corruption
73rd and 74th Constitutional
Decentralization
Amendments
Departmental divisions (Tirthas) Ministries, Secretariats
UN Sustainable Development Goals In IKS
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UN Sustainable Development Goals In IKS
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