Open AccessA Model of the Universe in Kathmandu's Old Royal Palace
Author(s) -
Gudrun Bühnemann
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
history of science in south asia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2369-775X
DOI - 10.18732/hssa.v8i0.59
Subject(s) - worship , globe , universe , artifact (error) , object (grammar) , art , art history , history , ancient history , astronomy , philosophy , physics , computer science , theology , artificial intelligence , psychology , linguistics , neuroscience
This paper discusses a model of the universe found in Mohan courtyard of the old royal palace of Kathmandu, the Hanumānḍhokā. It was commissioned and installed by King Pratāpa Malla in 1656 CE. The artifact is referred to as “earth-ball” or terrestrial globe (bhūgola) in an inscription and is based on Purāṇic concepts of the universe. An eighteenth-century ritual text indicates that it was an object of worship in the courtyard.