Scholars at the International Institute of Sanskrit Studies have announced the decipherment of a 6th-century palm-leaf manuscript found in a remote Tibetan monastery. The text, titled 'Vayu-Yantra-Vidya', outlines theoretical principles of aerodynamics and atmospheric pressure as understood by ancient Indian scholars. It describes the design of mechanical bellows and 'wind-powered wheels' used in forge ventilation and temple cooling.
The manuscript, written in a variant of the Gupta script, includes complex geometric diagrams illustrating the flow of air through tapering nozzles. While largely theoretical, the text demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of fluid mechanics and pressure differentials, predating many European engineering concepts. The find is expected to significantly rewrite the history of mechanical science in ancient India.