Vishwavallabha

Chakrapani Mishra - 15th Century AD, English Translation from original Sansktri by Dr.Nalini Sadhale . https://www.asianagrihistory.org/index.htm

Overview of Vishwavallabha:

Vishwavallabha is a Sanskrit book dealing with Vriskhayurveda ( completed in the year 1577 CE) with nine chapters written by Chakrapani Mishra, who was a court Pandit under the patronage of Maharana Pratap of Mewar. He was born into a lineage of scholars associated with the Ranas of Mewar including Rana Sanga. Chakrapani Mishra wrote a few other treatises including Rajyabhishek Paddhati, dealing with the rituals for coronation of kings, and Muhurtamala dealing with astrology. Vishavallabha is written in the verse in the style of a reference book for several procedures that were of special relevance to agricultural crops in arid areas. The historical context of this book was the vision and foresight of economic progress through agriculture that Maharana Pratap wanted to bring about in and around modern-day Rajasthan. Maharana Pratap is more known for his political and military exploits.

The broad areas of the book Vishwavallabha are as follows:

Soil Management:

Suitability of ground:

Analysis of soils

Water Management:

Ground water management:

Rules for ascertaining sources of water on the basis of types of soils, rocks and vegetation

Methods of purification of acidic (sour) and hard water

Irrigation management:

Digging of wells and step-wells, ponds and tanks

Methods of plastic hard rocks

Tools and equipment for digging wells

Plant Management:

Nourishment and growth:

Analysis of plantations