Topic > Innovations of Ancient India: Towards a More Sustainable Paradigm

IndexMathematicsAstronomyPhysicsChemistryMedicine and SurgeryCivil Engineering and ArchitectureManufacturing TechnologyShipbuilding and NavigationYellow CottonButtonsNatural FibresMedical TreatmentsDiamondsBasinCrucibleSteelInkReferencesIndia is a country with a rich culture and heritage. But few know very little about ancient India and its civilization than others. We learn and encounter much more from its literatures and puranas and from them we come to know that this is the place of many inventions in the fields of astronomy, medicine, mathematics, engineering, etc. India has been a stage for learning since ancient times. times. Older university like Nalanda is one of the good examples. The country was more advanced in the fields of science. It has been an important source of wisdom to the world and has made advancements in various fields such as astronomy, numerology, arithmetic, mineralogy, metallurgy, logic, information and technology. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay The Indus Valley Civilization has taught us many lessons. Historical evidence from archaeologists time and again proves India's dominance in the field of science and technology. Some of ancient India's contributions to the world, to name a few, Buddhism and Hinduism; epic stories; many contributions to mathematics including zero, decimals, square roots, algebra, number system 1-9; cures for over 1000 diseases; sewing needles; civil engineering and planned urban neighborhoods with sewage systems; the game of checkers, the game of chess, playing cards, the snake game, polo, judo and karate; buttons, spinning wheel, calico (a woven cotton material), muslim (material); shampoo; the ruler to measure inches; prefabricated houses and mobile homes; diamonds used in jewelry, bangles; folk dances, the first toilet flush; high quality steel; the Tambora (musical instrument) and more! Oh! Human knowledge and activities are some of the areas covered in ancient and medieval India. Ancient India was a land of sages, saints, Bramhanas and seers, as well as a land of scholars and scientists. In this article we would like to mention some of the innovations brought by our ancestors. Mathematics Mathematics is one of the fields that require greater attention from the human brain. Indian Vedic literature, which dates back about 4,000 years, mentions mathematics. Numerous mathematical treatises were proposed in India between 1000 BC and 1000 AD. Will Durant, American historian (1885-1981) said that India was the mother of our philosophy and much of our mathematics. The modern world is now accepting the fact that India is the birthplace of numerous mathematical concepts, including zero, decimal system, algebra and algorithm, square root and cube root. Zero is a number as well as a concept. 'Sunya' is the origin indication of Indian philosophy meaning 'empty' and zero has emerged as a derived symbol to represent this philosophical concept. Proof that geometric theories were known to ancient Indians, we find patterns on temple walls and gopuras, which in many cases are filled with a mix of floral and geometric motifs. The method of gradual calculation has been documented in a book titled “Five Principles” (Panch-Siddhantika) which dates back to the 5th century AD. AL Basham, an Australian Indologist, writes in his book, The Wonder That was India that “…the The world owes much to India in the field of mathematics, which developed in the Gupta period to a stage more advanced than that achieved by any other nation of antiquityIndians had a clear conception of abstract number as distinct from the numerical quantity of objects or spatial extension, this was a clear indicator of the success of Indian mathematics. Algebraic theories and other mathematical concepts, which were in use in ancient India, were collected and further developed by Aryabhatta, an Indian mathematician, who lived in the 5th century, in the city of Patna, then called Pataliputra. He referred to Algebra (as Bijaganitam) in his mathematical treatise titled Aryabhattiya. Another 12th-century mathematician, Bhaskaracharya, also wrote numerous treatises on the subject: one of these, called Siddantha Shiromani, contains a chapter on algebra. He is known for giving a basic idea of ​​Rolle's theorum and was the first to conceive of differential calculus. In 1816, James Taylor translated Bhaskaracharya's Leelavati into English. Another translation of the same work by the English astronomer Henry Thomas Colebruke appeared the following year in 1817. Credit for perfecting and internationalizing these mathematical concepts - which had originated in India - goes to the Arabs and Persians. Al-Khawarizmi, a Persian mathematician, developed a calculation technique that became known as an "algorithm". This was the seed from which modern arithmetic algorithms developed. Al-Khwarizmi's work was translated into Latin under the title Algoritmi de numero Indorum, meaning The Indian Number System. A mathematician in Arabic is called Hindsa which means Indian. The 14th-century Indian mathematician Madhava of Sangamagrama, along with other mathematicians of the Kerala school, studied infinite series, convergence, differentiation, and iterative methods for solving nonlinear equations. Jyestadeva of the Kerala school wrote the first text on calculus, the Yuktibhasa, which explores calculus methods and ideas repeated only in 17th-century Europe. Astronomy India's contributions to the world in the field of astronomy are well known. References to astronomy are found in the Rig Veda, dating back to 2000 BC. Over the next 2500 years, around 500 AD, ancient Indian astronomy emerged as an important part of Indian studies and its effect is also visible in various theories of that period. In some cases, astronomical principles were borrowed to explain matters related to astrology, such as the writing of a horoscope The calculation to determine the occurrence of eclipses To determine the circumference of the Earth. Determination of the theory of gravitation Proof that the sun was also a star and determination of the number of planets in our solar system The Pleiades are said to be the wives of the seven wise men, identified with the seven stars of the Big Dipper. The ancient Tamil name of the Great Bear elu-meen "seven stars" corresponds to the combination of the pictograms "7" + "fish", which alone constitutes the entire text of a finely carved Indus seal. The Satapatha-Brahmana states that the six Pleiades were separated from their husbands due to their infidelity; other texts specify that only one of the seven wives, Arundhati, remained faithful and was able to remain with her husband: she is the small star Alcor in the Big Dipper, held up as a paradigm of marital virtue for the bride in the Vedic wedding ceremony. Proof of the Harappan origin of this myth, among other things, the Indus seal evidence shows a row of six or seven human figures; their feminine character is suggested by a long braid of hair, which to this day has remained characteristic of Indian women. PhysicsThe concept of the atom in ancient India derives from the classification of the material world into five fundamental elements. These five "elements" and this classification have existed since Vedic times. These five elements were earth (prithvi), fire (agni),air (vayu), water (jaal) and ether or space (aksha). These elements were also associated with human sensory perceptions: earth with smell, air with feeling, fire with vision, water with taste, and ether/space with sound. They believed that the smallest particle that could not be further divided was paramanu (can be shortened to parmanu), a Sanskrit word. Paramanu is composed of two Sanskrit words, param which means ultimate or beyond and anu which means atom. Therefore, the term "paramanu" literally means "beyond the atom" and this was a concept at an abstract level indicating the possibility of splitting the atom, which is now the source of atomic energy. Kanada, a 6th century Indian philosopher, was the first person to systematically delve into this theorizing. Another Indian, the philosopher Pakudha Katyayana, also proposed the idea of ​​the atomic constitution of the material world. All these were based on logic and philosophy and lacked any empirical basis due to lack of commensurate technology. Similarly, the principle of relativity (not to be confused with Einstein's theory of relativity) was available in embryonic form in the Indian philosophical concept of "sapekshavad", the literal translation of this Sanskrit word is theory of relativity. These theories attracted the attention of ideologues, and veteran Australian ideologist A. L. Basham concluded that they were brilliant and imaginative explanations of the physical structure of the world and, to a large extent, agreed with the findings of modern physics. Chemistry The development of chemistry in ancient India was not limited to physics, but found development in a variety of practical activities. In every ancient civilization, metallurgy remained a central activity for all civilizations from the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, through all other civilizations that followed. The fundamental idea of ​​fusion is believed to have come to ancient India from Mesopotamia and the Near East. Coinage dating from the 8th century BC to the 17th century AD Numismatic evidence of the advances made in casting technology in ancient India. Nataraja the god of dance is made up of five metals Pancha-Dhatu. In the 5th century BC, the Greek historian Herodotus observed that the Indian and Persian armies used iron-tipped arrows. The ancient Romans used Indian iron armor and cutlery. In India itself some objects testify to the highest level of metallurgy achieved by the ancient Indians. An iron pillar stands next to the world heritage site Qutub Minar in Delhi. The pillar is believed to have been cast in the Gupta period around 500 AD. The pillar is 7.32 meters tall, tapering from a diameter of 40 cm at the base to 30 cm at the top and is estimated to weigh 6 tonnes. It has sat outside for the last 1,500 years, withstanding wind, heat and weather, but has not yet rusted, except for minimal natural erosion. This type of anti-rust iron had not been possible until iron and steel were discovered a few decades earlier. The advanced character of the chemical science of ancient India also finds expression in other fields, such as the distillation of fragmentary perfumes and ointments, the production of dyes and chemicals, the polishing of mirrors, the preparation of pigments and colors. Even the paintings found on the walls of Ajanta and Ellora (both World Heritage Sites) which look fresh even after 1000 years, testify to the high level of chemical science achieved in ancient India. Medicine and Surgery Ayurveda as a medical science owes its origins to ancient India. Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words: "ayur" meaning age or life, and "veda" meaning knowledge. Therefore, the literal meaning of Ayurveda is the science of life or longevity. Ayurvedaconstitutes ideas about disorders and diseases, their symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and relies heavily on herbal medicines, including extracts of different plants with medicinal values. This reliance on herbs differentiates Ayurveda from systems such as allopathy and homeopathy. Ayurveda has always dissociated itself from sorcerers and voodoo. Ancient scholars of India such as Atreya and Agnivesa dealt with the principles of Ayurveda as early as 800 BC. Their works and other developments were consolidated by Charaka who compiled a compendium of Ayurvedic principles and practices in his treatise Charaka-Samahita, which remained as a standard textbook almost for 2000.years and has been translated into many languages, including Arabic and Latin. “Charaka-Samahita” covers a variety of topics covering physiology, etiology and embryology, concepts of digestion, metabolism and immunity. Preliminary concepts of genetics are also mentioned, for example Charaka theorized that blindness from birth is not due to any defect of the mother or father, but owes its origin to the egg and sperm. In ancient India, numerous advances were also made in the field of medical surgery. Specifically these advances included areas such as plastic surgery, tar mining, and even dental surgery. The roots of ancient Indian surgery date back at least to around 800 BC. Shushruta, a medical theorist and practitioner, lived 2000 years earlier, in the ancient Indian city of Kasi, now called Varanasi. He wrote a medical compendium called "Shushruta-Samahita". This ancient medical compendium describes at least seven branches of surgery: excision, scarification, puncture, exploration, extraction, evacuation and suturing. The compendium also covers topics such as rhinoplasty (plastic surgery) and ophthalmology (cataract removal). The compendium also focuses on the study of human anatomy using a cadaver. In ancient India, medical science reportedly made much progress. Specifically, these advances concerned the sectors of plastic surgery, cataract extraction and dental surgery. There is documentary evidence demonstrating the existence of these practices. Artistic representation of an operation performed in ancient India. Despite the absence of anesthesia, complex operations were performed. The practice of surgery was documented in India around 800 BC. This is not surprising because surgery (Shastrakarma) is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. The oldest treatise dealing with surgery is the Shushruta Samahita (compendium of Shushruta). Shusruta who lived in Kasi was one of the many Indian doctors which included Atraya and Charaka. He was one of the first to study human anatomy. In the Shusruta Samahita he described in detail the study of anatomy with the help of a corpse. Shusruta's forte was rhinoplasty (plastic surgery) and ophthalmialogy (cataract expulsion). Shushruta described surgery under eight heads: Chedya (excision), Lekhya (scarification), Vedhya (perforation), Esya (exploration), Ahrya (extraction), Vsraya (evacuation) and Sivya (suturing). Yoga is a system of exercises for physical health. and mental nourishment. The origins of yoga are shrouded in antiquity and mystery. Since Vedic times, thousands of years before, the principles and practice of yoga have crystallized. But it was only around 200 BC that all the fundamentals of yoga were collected by Patanjali in his treatise, called Yogasutra, i.e. Yoga Aphorisms. In short, Patanjali postulated that through the practice of yoga, the latent energy in the human body can be made alive and released, which has a healing effect on the body and mind. Now, in modern times, clinical practices have established that several disorders, includinghypertension, clinical depression, amnesia, acidity, can be controlled and managed by yogic practices. The application of yoga in physiotherapy is also gaining recognition. Civil Engineering and Architecture Gateway to Harappa: Indus Valley Civilization India's urban civilization can be traced to Mohenjodaro and Harappa, now in Pakistan, where planned urban centers existed 5000 years earlier. Thereafter, ancient Indian architecture and civil engineering continued to develop and grow. It found manifestation in the construction of temples, palaces and forts throughout the Indian peninsula and neighboring regions. In ancient India, architecture and civil engineering were known as sthapatya-kala, the literal translation of which means the art of building (something). During the periods of the Kushan and Mauryan empires, the Indian architecture and civil engineering reached regions such as Baluchistan and Afghanistan. Buddha statues were cut out, covering entire mountain and cliff faces, such as the Buddhas of Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Over time, ancient Indian building art merged with Greek styles and spread to Central Asia. On the other hand, Buddhism brought Indian architectural and civil engineering style to countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, China, Korea and Japan. Angkor Wat is a living testimony to the contribution of Indian civil engineering and architecture to Cambodia's Khmer heritage in the field of architecture and civil engineering. In mainland India today, there are many wonders of the architectural heritage of ancient India, including world heritage sites such as Ajanta, Ellora, Khajuraho, Mahabodhi Temple, Sanchi, Brihadisvara Temple and Mahabalipuram. Production Technology The mechanical and production technology of ancient India ensured the processing of natural products and their conversion into commodities for exchange, trade and export. A number of travelers and historians (including Megasthanes, Ptolemy, Faxian, Xuanzang, Marco Polo, Al Baruni, and Ibn Batuta) have pointed to a variety of objects that were produced, consumed, and exported in the "known world" of that society by the ancients Indians .Shipbuilding and Navigation A panel found at Mohenjodaro depicts a sailing vessel, and thousands of years later the murals at Ajanta also depict a seagoing vessel. The science of shipbuilding and navigation was well known to the ancient Indians. Sanskrit and Pali texts are full of maritime references and ancient Indians, particularly from the coastal regions, had trade relations with several countries in the Bay of Bengal such as Cambodia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and even China. Similar maritime and trade relations existed with countries beyond the Arabian Sea such as Arabia, Egypt, and Persia. Even around 500 AD, sextants and the compass were not unknown to ancient Indian shipbuilders and navigators. JL Reid, a member of the Institute of Naval Architects and Shipbuilders, in England, around the beginning of the 20th century, published in the Bombay Gazetteer that "The early Hindu astrologers are said to have used the magnet to fix the North and East, in laying of foundations and in other religious ceremonies. The Hindu compass was an iron fish floating in a vessel filled with oil and pointing to the north. The fact of this ancient Hindu compass seems to be put beyond doubt by the Sanskrit word "Maccha-Yantra". . ', or 'fish machine,' which Molesworth gives as his name to the sailor's compass" Cotton GinCotton Gin is a machine used for separating cotton from seeds. Evidence of this machine was found through the carvings on the Ajanta caves where images of these machines were engraved. Dating back to 500 AD, this manual roller machineit was locally called Charkha. This machine has undergone modifications over time, but the most primitive form of cotton gin originated in India. Buttons Buttons are still an important part of our clothes today. Buttons were invented in India and various historical evidence and excavations demonstrate that buttons were used by populations belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization. The shells had various shapes and were drilled into a hole. Previously they were used more as embellishment, but gradually they were used to fasten clothes. Natural Fibers Natural fibers such as wool, cotton and plants come from India. Evidence shows that the people of the Indus Valley used cotton and India pioneered the art of cotton spinning and used it in the production of textiles. Jute, a plant fiber, was grown in India since ancient times and was later exported to other countries. Cashmere wool, which is supposed to be the finest wool, was first produced in Kashmir and was used to make handmade shawls. These shawls have also retained their richness and exclusivity today. Medical Treatments Leprosy was first noticed by the Indians and various ancient remedies are also mentioned in the Atharva Veda. Lithiasis treatment or stone eradication treatment was first introduced in India. Smallpox vaccinations were first cured in India and the symptoms and methods of immunization against smallpox were mentioned in the 8th century by Madhav. Ayurveda and Siddha are the two primitive methods of treatment originating from India and are still used as an alternative treatment modality. They were used for holistic healing and the ancient sages of India mastered this method of treatment. Another Indian doctor named Upendra Nath Bramhachari invented methods to cure visceral leishmaniasis or Kala Azar. This Nobel Prize winner was responsible for the eradication of this disease. Diamonds The first diamonds were mined in India. Huge deposits of diamonds were found in central India and it was gradually developed as a precious stone. India until the 18th century was the only country where diamonds were found, which were later exported to other countries. The Indians were well aware of the physical properties of diamond such as its durability, ability to cut other hard surfaces, sparkling effect and refractive property. Various ancient books have mentioned the use of diamond as a tool and have also mentioned the exquisiteness of this glittering stone. DockIndia was the first nation to have a dock dating back to 2400 BC. Members of the Harappan civilization were the first to build a dock in Lothal. This demonstrates their immense knowledge of oceanology and marine engineering. Lothal Dock demonstrates their precision and extensive knowledge of tidal waves and hydrography. Without in-depth knowledge of these topics it is impossible to build a pier. Crucible Steel High quality steel has been produced in South India since ancient times. The technique used to manufacture it was later called the crucible technique. Pure wrought iron was first placed together with glass and carbon in a container and heated until the metal melted and absorbed the carbon. Ink Ink made from various materials was first invented in India. This black pigment was used to write manuscripts in ancient India. India ink was made by burning tar, pitch, and bone. Carbon was the principal pigment of Indian ink. Math is meaningless without zero. Although it has no value, it plays a vital role in arithmetic. Aryabhatta was great).